10 Days Highlights of Vietnam

99+ booked
language: English

Duration: 4 nights
Language: English

Overview

This highlight-packed trip encapsulates the magic of Vietnam: the conservative north, imperial cities, majestic coastlines, idyllic countryside, sky-scraping mountains, and the effervescent life of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Along the way, we see an outgoing culture, where so much happens in the streets: eating, washing, socialising, buying, selling and impromptu games.

This intriguing parade of Vietnamese daily life may leave us with our strongest memories, as much as the superb landscapes and amazing cuisine.Discover a magical land of paddies and pagodas, mountains and metropolises, caves, coasts and countryside

Itinerary

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival - Free & Easy (D)

After land to Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, be picked up and transfer to your hotel for check in room. Relax and free time Dinner will be served for you at restaurant to welcome to Vietnam Accommodation: Casa Dos Principes Hote & Spa 4 stars (or similar)

Day 02: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)

07:30: Enjoy breakfast at hotel

08:00: Our limousine will meet you at hotel to pick you up, depart to Tuan Chau Harbour

11:30 – 12:00: Embark at Halong Lily Cruise’s waiting lounge – Tuan Chau International Marina harbor, from here a tender boat will take you to the cruise. A refreshing welcome drink is served, and you can check into your cabin

12:30: Set menu lunch is served in the restaurant while you can enjoy the amazing scenery. Cruise amongst the hundreds of islands. You will pass by Duck and Thumb islets to go to Luon cave’s area.

14:30: After 2,5 hours cruising our boat will stop in Luon cave’s area for kayaking. By do kayak or sit on a bamboo boat you can explore the beautiful lagoons and get closer to island.

15:30: You will visit Titop Island. In there you can swim or hiking to the top of Titop Island to have overview of the bay.

17:00 – 18:00: Afternoon tea and fresh spring roll making class

As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to our cruise and relax. Coffee, tea and fruits will be available on sundeck, or you can order your favorite drink while our boat cruising to area for anchor for the night. Your tour guide will guide you through making fresh spring rolls to eat at the cruise restaurant. Afterwards, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor right away.

19:00: Dinner be served with local seafood and after dinner you may choose to enjoy drink from the bar or top deck, or experience squid fishing before retiring

Overnight at Cruise 4-5-6 stars

Day 03: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Dong Hoi (B,L)

06:00: Warm up your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with a breathtaking view as the sun rises on Halong Bay.

07:00: Morning view of beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

08:00 – 09:00: You will visit an impressive Cave of Halong bay – Surprising Cave (Sửng Sốt) with your tour guide, a truly awesome and amazing cave to experience.

09:00 – 09:30: Check out of the cabin and settle bill and our boat begin cruising back to harbor and experience viewing other areas of Halong bay such as Fighting Cocks Island (Symbol of Halong bay), Incense Burner, Stone Dogs Island

10:00: Lunch is served on board during cruising towards the harbor.

11:00: Depart the Halong Cruise and travel by tender boat back to cruise’s waiting lounge where you then board the limousine for your return journey to Hanoi

When drive back to Hanoi where we have a bit of free time to explore. You might like to join the local people by pulling up a plastic stool and sampling one of the many street food offerings; the bun cha (barbecued pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs) is particularly good.

Late afternoon, we transfer to the train station to board our overnight train to Dong Hoi, 310mi (500km) south of Hanoi.

Accommodation: Overnight train

Day 04: Discover the caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (B,L)

Arriving at Dong Hoi at sunrise, we take a short transfer to our hotel to freshen up and have breakfast.

We then journey (approximately one hour) to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Designated a World Heritage site in 2003, it is home to the oldest karst mountains in Asia, plus hundreds of cave systems and spectacular underground rivers.

We first visit Phong Nha cave by boat.

After, we stop for lunch before discovering the Thien Duong cave, known locally as Paradise Cave.

This was only discovered in 2005 by scientists from the British Cave Research Association with the help of a local man who had heard the mountains ‘whistling’ while farming. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Dong Hoi, where we have time to relax and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Celina Quang Binh Resort (or similar)

Day 05: To Hue via the war tunnels of Vinh Moc (B)

We then journey to Hue after breakfast, stopping en route at the Vinh Moc war tunnels.

Less well-known than the Cu Chi tunnels in the south, these were predominantly used as bomb shelters during the Vietnam War.

Village life carried on underground: children went to school, hospitals were established and films were even played using power from a generator. We next stop at the Hien Luong Bridge which crosses the Ben Hai River, which formed part of the border between North and South Vietnam from 1954 until reunification in 1975.

We arrive in Hue mid-afternoon with free time before an optional group dinner.

Accommodation: Emm Hotel 4 stars (or similar)

Day 06: Hue city tour transfer to Hoi An (B,L)

It is said that Hue is the cultural and historical centre of Vietnam, and there is plenty to see.

The most outstanding sight is the Imperial Citadel, which has walls 6mi (9.5km) long; inside are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins, and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City, where only the emperor, his eunuchs and concubines were allowed.

The Forbidden Purple City was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric and the gaping bomb holes reveal the destruction wreaked upon the country. This morning, we visit the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda.

The pagoda was a centre for anti-government protest in the early 1960s and houses the Austin car that transported monk Thich Quang Duc to Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) in 1963 where he burned himself in protest against the president.

The photograph of his self-immolation was printed in newspapers around the world.

After lunch, we leave for Hoi An via the spectacular Hai Van Pass, 12mi (19km) of road winds up and over the fortress of mountains providing breath-taking views of the coast.

Accommodation: Anio Boutique Hoi An Hotel 4 stars (or similar)

Day 07: Walking tour of Hoi An, free time to explore the market (B)

This morning includes a walking tour of Hoi An, the original European trading port in Vietnam dating to the mid-16th century.

It is now a living museum with attractive wooden merchant’s houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. It is also a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the thriving riverside market and shops selling silk clothes.

This afternoon is free. One popular option is to jump on a bike for a ride through the countryside past local markets, schools and villages before continuing to Cua Dai beach (3mi/5km).

Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Day 08: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, visit main sites (B)

We drive to Da Nang and then fly to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand by modern developments.

Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free-market city where anything goes. We include a visit to the Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum.

The museum has an interesting photographic record of the Vietnam/American War but some images are very graphic.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Day 09: Day trip to Mekong Delta (B,L)

Journeying out of the city, we head to the lush countryside that is the Mekong Delta for a day tour.

Known as the rice bowl of Vietnam, this region produces most of the country’s fruit, sugarcane and coconuts. We take a boat along the many tributaries and stop to see cottage industries along the way.

We journey by sampan, a traditional low-riding wooden boat still used by the local people as the main form of transport.

After sampling some of the local produce, we return to Ho Chi Minh City where our groups typically enjoy a farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Deprture (B)

Our Vietnam exploration ends today after breakfast.

However, if you’re not quite ready for the adventure to stop, speak to your sales representative about our extension to Angkor in Cambodia, probably the standout archaeological site in Southeast Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cancellation policies and how can I change my booking?

30 – 16 days prior to arrival date: 10% cancellation charge 11-15 days prior to airrival date: 20% 10 – 6 days prior to arrival date: 50% 5 days prior to arrival date: 100 %

Any policies are in place for children?

Yes, we offer special rates for children. The rate for children applicable for child sharing a room or cabin with two adults is as follows: For infant (0 - 2 years old): FREE. 03 - 08 years old: 85% adult rate. Child from 9 years old and above will pay as adult.

What are the payment terms for booking a trip with Azotar Travel?

To book a trip with Azotar Travel, you will need to pay a 30% deposit. Final payment is required no later than 7 days prior to departure unless otherwise stated

I'm a solo traveller, is there a single supplement?

Yes, there is a single supplement for travelers who request a single room. This is because all of our prices are based on per adult, in double/twin sharing.