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Vietnam · Culture
The journey
Discover Vietnam from south to north on a 10-day private journey linking Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay. Designed for travellers with limited time, this itinerary combines domestic flights, guided sightseeing, cultural encounters, and scenic cruising to help you experience the country’s major highlights efficiently and comfortably.
Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels and historic landmarks of Saigon, cruise through the waterways of My Tho in the Mekong Delta, and wander the preserved streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. Continue to Hanoi for its Old Quarter and Temple of Literature, then round off the trip with an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise among limestone islands, caves, and emerald waters.
With 3-star accommodation, daily breakfast, selected lunches and dinners, airport transfers, and guided touring in each city included, this tour offers a well-paced introduction to Vietnam’s history, culture, landscapes, and local life.
Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels and historic landmarks of Saigon, cruise through the waterways of My Tho in the Mekong Delta, and wander the preserved streets of Hoi An Ancient Town.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Upon arrival, meet our representative at the airport for a transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic metropolis — a thrilling mix of French colonial heritage, modern skyscrapers, bustling street life, and rich cultural depth. It’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to feel the pulse of Vietnam today.
Meals included: None
Your Travelmates guide will meet you at 8am for a journey west to see Cu Chi tunnel network which stretches over 250km and extends to three levels underground providing you with remarkable insight into the hardships, courage, determination and terror of a guerrilla war.
Upon arrival, you will spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the country’s recent wars. Crawl underground (optional) and have a look at the tiny chambers, imagining what life was like for those who lived there. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits.
Throughout the tour, the guide will explain the impact of war on the local community and the country as a whole. Following this insightful visit, journey back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.
After lunch, visit perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display’s are fascinating.
Stroll through lovely 30 April Park to the Central Post Office. Here, you can also glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975.
Finish up the day at another historic site, the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighborhood market, the central location also welcomes travelers with a variety of stalls.
Having gained greater understanding of Saigon's culture and history, return to the hotel or your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Your guide will meet you for a full day tour to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam, the Delta is the most fertile region in the country, and the main producer of rice and tropical fruits. On the way, you will stop to visit a local Cao Dai temple. The Cao Dai religion was established in Southern Vietnam in 1926 and is a religious centre of worship unique to Vietnam that incorporates aspects of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. Upon arrival into My Tho, you board your boat and travel to one of the islands located in the middle of the Mekong River. On the island visit a fruit orchard and sample some of the local produce, before boarding a smaller sampan that winds along narrow canals. You'll also have the opportunity to visit a local family's house and enjoy their hospitality and share with them some tea or rice wine. After lunch in My Tho return to Saigon by mid to late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
This morning you will leave the city with a transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon your arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to Hoi An.
In the afternoon, your guide will meet you at your hotel for an exploration of the streets and sites of Hoi An Ancient Town. Hoi An was once Vietnam’s most active trading centre and over many centuries the Old Town has been largely preserved. The architecture of the city reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. Hoi An is also the town where French Missionary Alexandre De Rhodes introduced Catholicism to Vietnam as well as the Romanised script that has become the standard Vietnamese script. You will visit a traditional ancient house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall Chau Ong pagoda and the Japanese Covered Bridge. You will also have the opportunity to try some food with a real local taste e.g. White Rose Dumplings, Cao Lau (not included). The tour will end in Hoi An Ancient Town where you can enjoy more time at your leisure or go back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An.
Starting from your hotel in Hoi An, cycle a short distance through picturesque countryside to the quaint village of Tra Que. Join a local family for the morning and get 'hands-on' to learn about some of the unique farming methods unique to Vietnam. You will have a chance to interact closely with the people of this region, experiencing a side to Vietnam few tourists get to see. You will also get enjoy a herbal foot massage after the activities. After a local lunch return to Hoi An by bicycle. The rest of the day will be free at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight in Hoi An.
Free at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel.
In the afternoon, you will be met at your hotel by your guide for a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university now dedicated to Confucian worship.
Spend the rest of the day to explore the soul of the city with a brief walking tour through the fascinating Old Quarter - 36 ancient streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the markets where locals continue to trade as they have done for centuries. Ending your busy day with a stop at a local coffee shop for a Hanoi's famous drinks - egg coffee.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hanoi.
The local guide will pick you up at your hotel and depart for Ha Long Bay. This journey can take approximately 3 hours going through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town, embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Ha Long Bay. This exciting cruise will provide a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formation are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way, anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Halong Bay.
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi class and an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay while enjoying tea or coffee. Later, take a short trek to the summit of one of the islands for a panoramic view of the bay and enjoy a swim, or sunbathing. After heading back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay and a buffet brunch while cruising back to the dock. Brunch included.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hanoi.
Free at leisure until transfer to the airport (without guide) for departure flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
End of service.
The route
The fine print
Logistics
Your 10 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Ho Chi Minh City..
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