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Essential Vietnam

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Experience Travel Group

Essential Vietnam

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This 14-night holiday suggestion covers the length of Vietnam in all its quirky glory, edited to give you an insider’s perspective.  In our trademark style, we have suggested a relatively relaxed pace and some gorgeous hotels – to enable you to pause and take in Vietnam in comfort.

Classic Vietnam highlights include

  • Whip up a clay pot curry and wrapping Hoi An pancakes at a Vietnamese cooking class
  • Pull up a stool and sampling street food snacks you'd never find alone with our Hanoi Street Food Tour (guided by a local food blogger)
  • Marvel at the immense limestone rock formations at you glide past them on Halong Bay
  • Explore the singular contrasts of Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon) on our exclusive signature tour

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we will adapt the holiday to suit your tastes, budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive Journey Planner here.

DAY 1  Fly to Vietnam

Fly overnight to Ho Chi Minh City (still commonly referred to locally as Saigon).

DAYS 2 - 4 HO CHI MINH CITY   EXPLORE “SAIGON” AND THE MEKONG

On arrival, your guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. The first evening is free to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities before you spend two days exploring the city and the surrounding area with your guide. A guided morning tour of Saigon's contrasting sights and an afternoon at the Cu Chi tunnels is well worth the time and you’ll spend a full day exploring the mangroves, markets and villages of the Mekong Delta.

DAYS 5, 6 & 7 HOI AN   MAGICAL TOWN AND MILES OF BEACHES

Its a short morning flight up to Danang the gateway to Hoi An town and the nearby beaches.

We suggest you allow plenty of free time in Hoi An to poke about and explore. There are miles of beaches, and the town itself is a great place to explore at leisure with its beautiful lantern and camellia lined streets and excellent restaurants. 

Included in your tour is a brilliant introduction to countryside life; board a vintage Vespa bike for a guided drive through rural villages with stops to explore en route. A Vietnamese cookery experience is worth considering, and we have an excellent one which includes a visit to the colourful morning markets and the chance to try your hand at making typical street-food snacks under expert tuition.

DAYS 8 & 9 HUE    COASTAL DRIVE TO HISTORIC KINGDOM

The journey to Hue is by car via the Hai Van (Cloudy) Pass, a spectacular three-hour coastal drive with numerous photo opportunities on the way. On arrival, you’ll check in at your next hotel.

With your guide, you’ll discover the historic Imperial City and the areas famous tombs. During your free time, you could hire bikes, take a cyclo ride (rickshaw) or enjoy a pleasant boat ride on the serene Perfume River.

DAYS 10-13 HANOI & HALONG BAY

From Hue, fly to Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Hoan Kiem Lake is a top place to watch the sunset, and there are several museums, shops and excellent eateries along Hanoi's tree-lined boulevards. During your time here we include an expertly crafted journey through the historical and cultural heart of the city, taking in the remarkable Ethnology Museum and the Temple of Literature followed by a leisurely afternoon, and dinner.

Your stay in Hanoi will be split with an exciting two day, overnight trip to Halong Bay where you will cruise the spectacular bay itself and stay overnight on a traditional junk boat. Cruise past striking rock formations and tiny islands and visit secluded caverns carpeted with glittering stalactites. During the two day cruise, there will be time to swim, kayak or relax and to watch the sunset behind the karst peaks of the bay.

DAY 14 FLY HOME

Depart Hanoi for the overnight flight home.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, our holidays typically cost between £4,000 and £6,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year as well as the hotels and flights involved. We offer child and seasonal discounts. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Azerai La Residence

Azerai La Residence, Hue

Azerai La Residence is a luxury hotel evoking the opulence of a bygone era, with fabulous rooms with exquisite views.

Caravelle Saigon

Caravelle Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City

A well-appointed hotel featuring rooms with great views of the city. The Caravelle is in an excellent location in the very heart of Saigon.

Halong Jasmine

Halong Jasmine, Halong Bay

Cruise Halong onboard Jasmine, the sister boat to Halong Ginger, similar but a slightly newer boat with 24 cabins.

Hotel De L'Opera

Hotel De L'Opera , Hanoi

A centrally located Hanoi hotel where modern Vietnamese glamour meets colonial design.

Victoria Resort & Spa

Victoria Resort & Spa, Hoi An

Beach resort in an excellent location with great variety of rooms and easy access to Hoi An's ancient town

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Can Gio Mangrove by Speedboat

Can Gio Mangrove by Speedboat, Ho Chi Minh City

Take a speedboat through the beautiful mangroves and Mekong region of south Vietnam.

Contrasts of  Saigon - Urban Walking Tour

Contrasts of Saigon - Urban Walking Tour, Ho Chi Minh City

Take a privately guided walk through the lovely suburbs of Saigon to see the contrast with the city centre.

Hanoi City Tours

Hanoi City Tours, Hanoi

Experience Hanoi - from quaint little colonial streets, to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and the famous Water Puppets.

Hanoi Street Food Tour

Hanoi Street Food Tour, Hanoi

Experience and taste the essence of historical Hanoi in Vietnam.

Hoi An Countryside by Vespa

Hoi An Countryside by Vespa, Hoi An

Explore the local villages surrounding Hoi An whilst riding pillion on a vintage Vespa.

Hoi An Cuisine - Cooking Tour

Hoi An Cuisine - Cooking Tour, Hoi An

Vietnamese mouthwatering cuisine is world famous and here you can learn to prepare some of the well known dishes.

Perfume River  Cruises

Perfume River Cruises, Hue

The Perfume River Cruise is a great way to see the sites of Hue as both the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda are located on its banks. Several different boat cruises are available.

Royal Kingdom

Royal Kingdom, Hue

Explore the sites of Imperial Hue and the great Thien Mu Temple on the banks of the Perfume river.

The Tunnels of Cu Chi

The Tunnels of Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City

The Tunnels of Cu Chi (5 hours) - explore the tunnels from which the North Vietnamese waged their guerilla war.

Add on a few days on the beautiful island of Pho Quoc, just off Vietnam's southern coastline. 

La Veranda

La Veranda, Phu Quoc Island

A superb, stylish and luxury resort and island getaway on one of Asia's most beautiful island resorts.

Explore the hidden waterways of the Mekong Delta on the gorgeous Bassac. 

Bassac Cruise

Bassac Cruise, Can Tho

Explore the mysterious, mesmerising Mekong Delta in comfort and style onboard the Bassac.

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Essential Vietnam '

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~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

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