Explore Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels & Hoi An

Let's begin our Vietnamese adventure with an overnight flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is well known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture which have Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences.

On arrival in Hanoi, we will be welcomed by our local expert guide and transferred to our hotel in the downtown area. The remainder of the day will be at leisure so you can settle in and get to know your surroundings.

3 star hotel in Hanoi (3 nights)

After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Hanoi’s main historical and cultural highlights. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you will visit the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and widely regarded as Vietnam’s first university.

In the afternoon, visit the fascinating Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which offers an insight into the traditions and daily lives of the country’s 54 recognised ethnic groups. Its exhibits include artefacts, displays and full-size traditional buildings.

The day concludes with a one-hour cyclo ride through the lively streets and narrow lanes of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, offering a memorable view of one of the city’s most atmospheric districts.

After breakfast, travel through scenic countryside and farmland on the two-hour journey to Hoa Lu. On arrival, explore this historic site, which served as the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties between 968 and 1009. Chosen by King Dinh Tien Hoang, its mountain setting and natural waterways provided ideal conditions for agriculture and defence.

Discover the remains of this ancient capital, including temples, pagodas, tombs and pavilions created by successive dynasties. You will also visit the Dinh and Le Temples, two of the most important surviving structures at Hoa Lu.

In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour sampan journey along the waterways of Tam Coc. Often described as the “Halong Bay on land”, the area is known for its peaceful river, dramatic limestone karsts and beautiful rural scenery.

Continue by bicycle on a gentle 5–7 km ride through rice fields, alongside streams and along quiet country roads. The route includes a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda, a complex of three pagodas built at different levels into a lush mountainside. The area also featured in the French film Indochine. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Your day begins with an 8.00am pick-up from your hotel, followed by a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive to Halong Bay. Along the way, take in the rural landscapes of the Red River Delta and enjoy a short break during the journey.

On arrival, you will board your cruise boat, meet the crew and receive a brief introduction before setting sail. Lunch will be served as you cruise among Halong Bay’s striking limestone islands and quieter waterways.

During the afternoon, take a traditional rowing boat through a local fishing village, passing floating homes, a school and pearl farms while learning more about life on the bay.

After returning to the cruise boat, spend some time relaxing on deck with a drink as the sun begins to set. The day ends with a freshly prepared seafood dinner served beneath the evening sky.

Begin the day with an early morning Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by breakfast as you continue cruising through Halong Bay.

Later, explore one of the bay’s quieter ancient limestone caves before taking to the water for a sea-kayaking experience. Afterwards, return to the boat and cruise back to the main harbour.

From Halong Bay, travel by road towards Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport. Along the way, stop for approximately two hours at Yen Duc Village, where lunch will be served. You will also enjoy a 30-minute performance of traditional Vietnamese water puppetry.

Continue to Noi Bai Airport for your late-afternoon flight to Danang. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

At 9.00am, meet your guide at the hotel for a bike check before setting off towards Cam Kim Island. Cycle along quiet paved paths through rice and corn fields, passing small villages and peaceful rural scenery.

Your first stop is Kim Bong carpentry village, where traditional woodworking skills have been passed down through generations. The village is known for producing boats, furniture and the distinctive wooden houses found throughout Hoi An’s Old Town, with techniques dating back to the 18th century.

Continue to a local family home to learn about traditional rice-wine production. You will also visit the village’s boat-building yards and see how rice paper is made before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, return to Hoi An for a guided walking tour of the Old Town. Highlights include the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, a local museum and the colourful market. Wander through narrow streets lined with historic buildings influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectural styles.

After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy a free day in Hoi An to explore at your own pace.

You may choose to spend more time discovering the town’s UNESCO-listed architecture, colourful market and atmospheric streets. Further afield, you could visit the impressive Cham ruins at My Son, take part in a riverside cooking class or join a local experience offering an insight into traditional farming and fishing life.

Early risers may enjoy a four-hour photography tour led by a local expert, providing an opportunity to capture Hoi An as the town comes to life. Between March and September, you can also take a boat trip to Cu Lao Cham Island, where you can discover coral reefs and marine life.

Any optional activities you would like to include can be requested at the time of booking.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Optional Excursion: Hoi An Cooking Class – Half Day
Available as a shared or private tour

The experience begins with collection from your hotel at 9.00am, followed by a welcome drink at Hai Café in Hoi An’s Ancient Town.

Visit the town’s lively market and take in its colourful sights, sounds and aromas. You will have an opportunity to meet local traders and learn about the fresh ingredients that will be used during your cooking lesson.

Continue with a leisurely 25-minute boat journey along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Along the way, enjoy views of daily life on the river and the surrounding countryside.

On arrival, explore the school’s herb garden before being introduced to a selection of well-known dishes from Hoi An and across Vietnam. The cooking class lasts approximately two hours. The Red Bridge chefs will demonstrate each dish before you prepare it yourself.

This morning, travel north towards the historic city of Hue. En route, visit either the Cham Museum in central Da Nang or the Marble Mountains, a group of limestone and marble hills traditionally associated with the five natural elements.

Continue along the scenic coastal road and cross the Hai Van Pass, also known as the Pass of the Clouds. From the top, enjoy impressive views across the coastline and Da Nang, with several excellent opportunities for photographs.

On arrival in Hue, the afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Hue.

Let's try a variety of street food dishes in Hue on a street food walking tour. Discover hidden restaurants, traders, and street food vendors located off the beaten track that most tourists won’t find. Start by sampling some Hue local specialties such as Loc cake, Beo Cake, Nam Cake and Khot cake. Afterwards indulge in a Vietnamese BBQ with some local beer and locally prepared noodle soup. Your foodie tour will end with a sweet and cool dessert. Culinary guide and food tastings included (This excursion is subject to minimum numbers)

3 star hotel in Hue (1 night)

Let’s spend the beginning of our day discovering the Imperial City of Hue. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, Hue is home to many colourful palaces and temples housed within its giant walls.

We will then enjoy life like a local at Dong Ba market, browsing local produce, followed by an included lunch at a local restaurant before your afternoon transfer to Phu Bai airport for your short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War. On arrival in this bustling city, let's travel to our hotel in District 1, a great choice for those looking for shopping, culture & nightlife.

You will have the remainder of the evening at leisure. Check out some of the local food stalls that line the city’s streets, especially around bustling Bến Thành Market, or simply relax at your hotel while you get to know your surroundings.

3 star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights)

Let’s embark on a city tour of Ho Chi Minh City that will cover all of it's iconic highlights, starting with the War Remnants Museum - a real eye-opening part of Vietnam's history; followed by the Reunification Palace; the former South Vietnam Presidential Palace; the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, offering us a glimpse into the past of Vietnam's biggest city..

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, let’s discover the sights of Chinatown with a walking tour through its back-streets allowing you to witness local daily life as we visit the Cholon and Binh Tay Market before exploring the Thien Hau temple, which was built in the early 19th Century as a tribute to the goddess of seafarers.

Today let’s explore more of the area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City as we drive to Tay Ninh, which was once the historical centre of the Cao-Dai religion - this transfer will take about 2 hours. Founded in 1926, Cao-Dai is a combination of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism. At the Holy See Temple, we will have the chance to watch the worshippers in their long white tunics during the noon Buddhist ceremony.

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, let's experience the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels that were used during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. A must do for any visitor to Vietnam!

At 8.00am, depart the city for the two-hour journey to Ben Tre, a province located in the Mekong Delta. Travel south by road before boarding a boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong.

As you cruise along the river, observe daily life on the water, including fishing and the transport of goods. Stop at a traditional brickworks to see how bricks are shaped and fired, before continuing to a coconut-processing workshop beside the canal.

The journey then follows a network of narrow natural waterways towards a local village. Visit a family-run workshop where sleeping mats are made and enjoy a selection of fresh fruit.

Continue by bicycle along shaded village paths, passing rice fields and vegetable farms. This gentle ride offers an insight into rural life and the agricultural traditions of the region.

After lunch at a riverside restaurant, take a rowing boat through a peaceful water-palm creek. Return by boat to the pier, where your private vehicle will be waiting for the onward journey to Can Tho.

Overnight in Can Tho.

3 star hotel in Can Tho (1 night)

Let’s embark on a cruise to visit the Cai Rang floating market. This is a unique market where all sorts of types of commerce take place on boats and ships only. Watch the locals make their local purchases from their own boats. Afterwards, let’s continue to a small canal to visit a fruit garden where we will have a short tour and the chance to sample some local produce.

In the afternoon we will travel back to Ho Chi Minh City, observing rural life and the lush vegetation along the riverbanks. Enjoy lunch en route before arriving at our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The evening will be at leisure to experience the bustling night time atmosphere of Vietnam's largest city!

3 star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (1 night)

Let's enjoy one final day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City for independent exploration. Your guide will be happy to suggest something to suit your taste. Enjoy a local beer at one of the many lively cafes on Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, do some last minute souvenir shopping at the Bến Thành Market or simply relax. Late checkout is included at your hotel before your evening transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. (Late checkout is subject to flight times)