Day 1, 16th July - Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam!
Chào mừng to Vietnam! Arrive into Noi Bai International Airport and you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi, to check in and chill before our first chance to try out the amazing Vietnamese cuisine and meet the whole group for a welcome evening meal. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2, 17th July – Hanoi. After breakfast we do a walking tour of Hanoi. We will stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake to St Joseph's Cathedral. This is the historic area of the city storied with countless tales both modern and ancient. We will continues our walk through the old quarter along Phung Hung street which runs parallel to the Railway street. A section of the railway cuts through a narrow residential area, where locals have converted their homes into cafes. We will try get to the tracks for a train passing that we can view from an upstairs cafe. We will then make our way to the Notes Café to take the pictures. If the café is not full, you will have a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee here. After the visit to the Notes cafe, we will head for lunch. Then after to the ‘house on stilts’ where ‘Bac Ho’ resided from 1958 to 1969. Stroll around the tranquil grounds before completing the circuit at the One Pillar pagoda; built in 1049, the symbol of Hanoi is a unique representation of the city. Mid-late afternoon, continue our walking tour with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. Rest of the late afternoon/evening will be at leisure to chill. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi. Meal plan: (Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 3, 18th July - Hanoi / Halong Bay. After breakfast, our bus will pick us up from our hotel in Hanoi and start our trip to explore the most amazing bay in the North of Vietnam. On the way, we will have a quick stop in the middle of the way to rest. Arrive at our waiting lounge at Ha Long international cruise port, we will have a bit of time to relax and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee. Wait for our captain to finish the registration and transfer by tender to our boat. We will then enjoy a welcome drink and spend a couple of minutes briefing about safety on the boat and activities included then we check in our cabin. Delicious Vietnamese set menu will be served while leisurely cruising further into Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy kayaking through the breathtaking view of Halong Bay, or swimming and relaxing. Get back to the boat and enjoy a Sunset cocktail while our cruise boat sails to the overnight anchorage. Sumptuous set dinner on board. After have a drink and enjoy the quiet night on the bay. Overnight on boat in Ha Long Bay. Meal plan: (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4, 19th July - Halong Bay / Hanoi / Hoi An
Get up early for the amazing sunrise in HaLong Bay! Breakfast will be served while we cruise along the Bay. Check out at 11:30, then transfer to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport for the 1.5 hour flight south to Da Nang. From Da Nang Airport we will then head to Hoi An, transferred to our Hoi An Hotel by private transfer. We will have sometime to relax after our early morning, giving us the the chance to explore the enchanting streets of Hoi An at our own pace or chill by the swimming pool or visit one of the many tailors in Hoi An. Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns and UNESCO-heritage listed, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries now draws international visitors to its streets, for both the history and the surrounding scenes. Overnight in Hoi An.(Internal flight from Hanoi to Da Nang included) Meal plan (Breakfast/Brunch)
Day 5, 20th July - Hoi An Today after breakfast we will spend a half day with a local guide, exploring a different side of Hoi An’s old town. Explore former merchants’ homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes lined with traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Bridge. Also visit charming backstreets and tiny alleys to discover lesser known gems. We will head down a small alley to a traditional style house where the art of healing through martial arts has been practiced by a local family for generations. This healing method is the master’s invention, combined between Qigong, Tai Chi, and traditional Vietnamese martial arts called Vo. Have a chance to learn some basic steps under the guidance of the master. We will then end our half day tour by visiting a cosy local home to taste a typical dessert before heading back to the hotel to chill for the evening. Overnight in hotel in Hoi An. Meal plan (Breakfast)
Day 6, 21st July - Hoi An & cooking class.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to a charming restaurant in the center of Hoi An’s old town. Enjoy a welcome drink while being briefed on the day’s activities. Then it’s off to the market to shop for ingredients. Learn about the fresh items on sale, from herbs and spices to colorful vegetables and live seafood, and how they are used in authentic Vietnamese cooking. Purchase a selection of items and mingle with the locals, enjoying the sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. Take a short walk to the pier where a private motorboat is waiting. Climb aboard and cruise up the Thu Bon River, enjoying the passing views of fishermen on the way to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Upon arrival, meet with the chefs and start cooking! The two-hour course starts with a demonstration from the chefs, showing the proper cooking techniques and introducing the ingredients. Then, at a personal cooking station, prepare a selection of Vietnamese dishes under the watchful eye of the Red Bridge team. Once ready, we will sit down eat and enjoy our well deserved lunch. After filling up, we will return to Hoi An for the afternoon. The evening is free to wonder around the ancient town for our last night in Hoi An. Overnight in hotel in Hoi An. Meal plan: (Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 7, 22nd July - Hoi An - Hue - After having breakfast at the hotel, we'll travel to Hue, the former royal capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. On the way we’ll stop on the top of Hai Van pass and enjoy the breath taking view there. Jungle-topped mountains slope down into the sea, shaping uninhabited bays, forging gushing waterfalls, and even influencing the weather. The whole pass is 20 km in length — so time to enjoy the sweeping views, over a railway track then along the beautiful Lang Co Lagoon before continuing north to Hue City to the hotel for check in. Once we arrive in Hue we will check in and relax for the evening. Overnight in Hue. Meal plan (Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 8, 23rd July – Hue. After breakfast we will explore the majestic Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, wander through the historic complex, surrounded by ancient walls and gates, to discover the intricate architecture and rich cultural heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty. Immersing ourselves in the opulence of the imperial palaces, pagodas, and gardens, gaining insight into the royal history that defines this cultural gem. We will then continue by cyclo to a tranquil lake, where king’s once rested during the hot summer months, before arriving at a private museum featuring a magnificent collection of royal possessions. We will then head to Thien Mu Pagoda, perhaps Hue’s most iconic landmark located along the beautifully named Perfume River. We will then rest our feet over a local Hue inspired lunch before we continue on in the afternoon, leaving behind the city and travel through Hue’s outskirts to the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a Nguyen Dynasty ruler known for his opposition to French occupation and his decadent lifestyle. Explore his remarkable tomb, admiring the imposing architecture and gorgeous forest setting while learning more on this historic figure. Continue to Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb, which is equally impressive, yet a completely different complex. See the blend of traditional Vietnamese design with European influence, making it unique from other royal tombs in Hue. At the end of the afternoon, return to our hotel and an evening at leisure. Overnight in Hue Meal plan: (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 9, 24th July Hue - Ho Chi Minh. After breakfast, we'll head from our Hue Hotel to Phu Bai Airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, which locals still call Saigon. This city is a blend of the past and present, with its pagodas, museums, European architecture, and a growing number of skyscrapers. In the afternoon, we'll take a walking tour through the historic city center and CBD. We'll check out the City Hall, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel, and the Saigon Opera House. Then, we'll veer off the main road to explore a building transformed by the city's youth, featuring local retail stores, coffee shops, and art spaces that showcase the city's creative side. We'll keep walking to the Central Post Office and wrap up the day at the historic Ben Thanh Market. It's still a bustling local market, and its central spot also attracts travelers with a variety of stalls. After soaking in Saigon's culture and history, we'll head back to the hotel for the night. We'll be staying overnight in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh.(Internal flight from Hue to Ho Chi Minh included) Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 10, 25th July – Saigon and the Cu Chi Tunnels. This morning, we'll kick things off visiting the famous Cu Chi tunnels. They're about 75 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, in an area that was super important during the Vietnam War for independence and reunification. The Vietnamese guerrillas built over 200 km of tunnels here, and it's often a highlight of touring South Vietnam. This morning, we’ll get to explore the bedrooms, meeting rooms, air-raid shelters, smokeless kitchens, and experience what life was like underground in this incredible tunnel complex. After the tunnels, we’ll head back to HCMC for a chill afternoon. The evening is yours to wander around the shopping streets, try out local foods, and hit up some local coffee shops. Overnight in hotel in Saigon. Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 11, 26th July – Depart Ho Chi Minh
All good things must come to an end. Today it's time to say goodbye to everyone as we end our tour, there will be a transfer provided to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your homeward flights unless you decide to continue on the adventure by adding on our Cambodia and Laos tour.
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Total cost €1895 per person sharing
*Please note the tour starts in Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh. Also note with regards to luggage, a small suitcase or backpack is recommended as we have two internal flights with a capacity of 20kg
Included: Service of English-speaking local guide and Irish tour leader, 2 x airport transfers, all transport on the tour, 2 x internal flight, all accommodation (hotels and cruise), meals as mentioned, entrance fees for mentioned visits NOT included: International flights to/from Vietnam, Travel insurance (compulsory), meals not listed in the itinerary and visa for Vietnam.
Terms and conditions & fine print:
The itinerary may be subject to small changes due to any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. Brenda will not be leading this tour. All rooms on our trips are shared, with two people per room. We’ll match you with an adventure buddy, giving you the perfect chance to make new friends! To keep things fresh, you’ll switch roommates every couple of nights and connect with someone new.
If you are satisfied with the proposed itinerary and wish to proceed, a deposit of €500 will be necessary to confirm your reservation. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable for various reasons. By making the deposit, you are agreeing to these terms. The non-refundable nature of the deposit is essential due to the immediate planning and costs associated with securing your spot on the tour. This policy also helps ensure that all participants are fully committed to the trip.
The balance of €1395 will be due 8 weeks before trip start date (21st of May 2025). You can make the payments in instalments after the deposit is paid if that suits you.
With regards to a refund: Your deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is required to book all accommodation and transportation which are non-refundable or changeable. For the balance of your payment, I maybe able to refund this up 8 weeks before the trip should you have an emergency and need to cancel. Anything closer than 8 weeks, and I cannot refund you.
I suggest you take out comprehensive travel-insurance that covers trip cancellations, that way should you have to cancel you are covered, you will get a full pay out from your insurance company. Keep an eye on the excess required.
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