Itinerary
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam. Hanoi, one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture, history and the engaging contradictions of a rapidly developing and deeply traditional society. You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International Airport for your transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Mk Premier Boutique Hotel in a Luxury Room.
Enjoy your pre-selected tour from our Freedom of Choice options:
- Relaxed City Tour - Spend the day exploring Hanoi on a full day tour. You will explore a historic district full of colourful market stalls, visit sites such as the Temple of Literature, the Presidential Palace, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, and end the day on a small private electric cart for a tour around Westlake, the largest lake of Hanoi. You will return to the hotel in the late afternoon, and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
OR
- Intense City Tour – After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a full day of touring. Start the day with a visit to the Women’s Museum which exhibits the diversity of Vietnam's culture and the contributions of its women to the country's society and ongoing development. Later you will drive to the Old Quarter, the bustling heart of Hanoi, where you will find shopping, cultural, and historical sites all wrapped into one. After lunch, you will visit the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long before ending the day with a water puppet show, a unique Vietnamese art dating back to the 11th century.
Overnight stay at Mk Premier Boutique Hotel in a Luxury Room.
Travel to Halong Bay and embark on your unforgettable overnight cruise. Float amongst traditional floating villages and admire the beautiful scenery. You will see locals fishing offshore, and will have the opportunity to explore magnificent caves, walk along the beach, or admire a panoramic view of the stunning bay.
Overnight on The Bhaya Cruise in a Deluxe Cabin (with ensuite).
Rise early today to enjoy a spectacular sunrise over Halong Bay. After a light breakfast, you will visit Sung Sot, a beautiful cave but also an important archaeological site. Back on board, you will enjoy brunch while we continue cruising back into the harbour.
You will transfer back to Hanoi and take a short flight to Hoi An. Check in to your hotel for the next two nights.
Overnight stay at Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa in a Superior Garden View Room.
Enjoy your pre-selected tour from our Freedom of Choice options:
- Half-day Food Tour - You will start your walk across the enchanting ancient town of Hoi An. Follow your guide as you meander your way through the beautiful streets and narrow alleys, which are bordered by ancient yellow-walled houses. You will reach a market where you can spend some time exploring the colourful stalls and the variety of foods and souvenirs on offer. Try some local delicacies before you venture further into the town. The guide will show you various places of interest and will also arrange some spontaneous food tastings as you walk. Food, drinks and culinary legends are all on the menu today. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
OR
- Half-day My Son Tour – Visit My Son, one of the most important examples of Hindu influence in Southeast Asia. Although largely in a state of ruin today, My Son is often compared with other historical temple complexes in Southeast Asia, such as Angkor Wat of Cambodia or Ayutthaya of Thailand. You'll be given a brief introduction to Cham history and culture, and its Hindu influence, and then will visit the remains of the carefully crafted red brick temples complete with beautiful monuments and epitaphs.
Overnight stay at Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa in a Superior Garden View Room.
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel before enjoying a half day tour of the city.
Enjoy your pre-selected tour from our Freedom of Choice options:
- Essentials of Saigon – In the afternoon, you will study history at the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, which displays countless artefacts from Vietnam’s history. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, built mostly from materials imported from France in the 1800’s. It is a popular attraction in the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
OR
- Saigon Behind the Scenes – Travel back in time to District 3, where you will visit the oldest café in town, which opened in 1938. Walk through a massive street market, then continue on to Chung Cu, the heart of Saigon’s working-class, which remains mostly unchanged since the 1960’s. Marvel at the size of these old residential buildings as we walk through and into the Ho Thi Ky quarter. A place known for its spectacular flower market, and its maze of quiet narrow streets. A place also surprisingly famous for its Khmer delicacies since the 1990’s. Here you will be able to enjoy some of these traditional snacks before ending your tour and enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Bay Hotel in a Deluxe Room.
Enjoy your pre-selected tour from our Freedom of Choice options:
- Explore the Coconut Land – After breakfast in the hotel, head south to Ben Tre, a region famous for its coconut production. Upon arrival, set out on a boat trip on narrow channels winding through coconut forests. Stop at brick and coconut processing workshops to see how the locals make bricks by hand and learn how to make different products from coconuts as well. Then jump onto your bike and cycle on village roads through local hamlets, rice fields and coconut groves. Feel free to stop along the way to have a closer look at the local life and culture of this region. You'll then arrive at Mr. Sau Khanh’s house, whose ambition is to collect antiques. His collection varies from ancient and valuable ceramics, pottery pieces like bowls, dishes and vases, to ceiling lights, sculptures and Buddha statues. Chat with him and try out the local skill of climbing coconut trees. Return to the pier and drive to Ho Chi Minh city.
OR
- Mekong’s Paths Less Travelled – You will depart from your hotel at 8am. After a 2.5 hour drive out of the metropolis, you will reach a less travelled region of the delta, about 30 kilometers away from the mouth of the mighty river. Hop on a private boat and start your exploration. You will meet people, learn more about their daily lives and navigate the Mekong. After visiting a local factory and an ancient communal house, reach a small island for lunch at a local guesthouse. In the afternoon, visit a honey-bee farm before hoping on bikes and cycling narrow pathways across the island. Stop at another local farm to unveil the secret of Sâm jelly and sample it. Continue across orchards and transfer onto a small sampan to explore a thick mangrove. After returning to the mainland, drive back to Ho Chi Minh city. You’ll arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight stay at Bay Hotel in a Deluxe Room.
Your last morning is free at your leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Hotel options
Hanoi
MK Premier Hotel combines traditional culture and modern design, hosting 65 rooms uniquely designed to give an unexpected experience to Hanoi and its visitors. Ideally located at the heart of the beautiful and historic old quarter of Hanoi and Vietnam’s famous 36 streets. MK Premier Boutique hotel offers an atmosphere that is at once refined, remembered and inspires traditional Vietnamese style and old world sophistication.
Halong Bay Cruise
One of the first overnight Halong Bay cruises and now the largest cruise company with 17 ships, Bhaya Cruises is all about delivering unique travel experiences in one of Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations. Deluxe Cabins measure a comfortably compact 12-14 sqm while larger Terrace Suites enjoy a private terrace with sun loungers. All cabins feature hardwood floors, spacious bathrooms, contemporary Asian décor and stunning bay views framed by panoramic windows.
Hoi An
Located on the bank of the romantic Thu Bon River, Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa is within a 10-minute walk to the ancient town of Hoi An. The 4-star resort, which blends Vietnamese tradition with modern facilities, offers guests gracious hospitality and impeccable service. The resort has 89 well-appointed rooms set in the coconut-tree-shaded gardens that meander along the river. All the rooms are elegantly designed and furnished with the comfort of guests in mind.
Ho Chi Minh City
An inviting retreat in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. This 16-storey, non-smoking hotel features a stylish restaurant, rooftop pool and rooftop bar facing the Saigon River. The BAYCOMFORT luxe bedding experience works in unison with the timeless décor and well-appointed amenities to provide all with a haven of rest and an escape from the bustling city. To further enhance the guest experience, the digitally savvy traveller will be cocooned around complimentary WIFI all day, with complimentary mini-bar with daily replenishment.
Important notes
Departures are available from January until December 2021. Blackout dates apply during certain travel periods.
Blackout dates may apply during festive season.
