Compare Vietnam Highlights Vacation Tours by Best Single Travel vs Vietnam in 9 days - Natural Wonders & Traditions - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Dinner

Start your Vietnam Highlights vacation this evening in Ho Chi Minh City, still referred to as Saigon, a cosmopolitan city that combines Vietnamese flair with US influences post Vietnam War and is one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in Asia with great places to eat and drink. The French also left their fingerprints all over this ‘Paris of the Orient’, from architecture like the Notre Dame Cathedral to the best pastries this side of the Eiffel Tower.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the first half of your day seeing the landmarks of this bustling city like the Notre Dame cathedral, Presidential Palace and The War Remnants Museum with history on The Vietnam War. Score a bargain in the Ben Thanh markets, selling everything from fresh produce to fabrics and handicrafts and everything in between! It’s a free afternoon so you could pick up an option to venture to Long Tan, site of the most famous battle involving Australians in the Vietnam War, or the alternative visit to the Cu Chi tunnels. These 200km network of tunnels were made by the Viet Cong to infiltrate unsuspecting US base camps. Then it’s a flight to Nha Trang.

Day 3: Nha Trang

Meals: Breakfast

Ranked one of the top beaches in Vietnam, take the pace of your trip down a notch and enjoy this waterside resort town while soaking up the rays and swimming in the warm waters. Do your own thing or you could bliss out with a mineral mud bath warmed by natural hot springs or there’s a full day snorkelling cruise to offshore islands.

Day 4: Nha Trang to Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast

Fly to Danang and travel down to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Hoi An. Join a walking tour through the Old Quarter, pagodas and markets before biking the surrounding countryside. Free time this afternoon to explore the town’s galleries and boutiques; perfect for gifts!

Day 5: Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy another day in this little historic gem of a town. A former trading port famous for wooden houses, Chinese influenced temples and silk shops; it is the perfect place to have clothes tailor-made at tiny prices. Get up close and personal with the locals by taking an option to spend a day working with the local village farmers.

Day 6: Hoi An to Hue

Meals: Breakfast

There’s stunning coastal views while driving over the “Pass of the Ocean Clouds” to the former Royal City of Hue. A dragon boat is your ride to pagodas featuring an eclectic mix of western and eastern influences. Following a visit to the Royal Tombs and the older, fortified Citadel, it’s a free afternoon. Take an optional ride through the Forbidden City, once occupied by Emperors, or join a cooking class in Hue Royal cuisine in a renovated former royal house.

Day 7: Hue to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast

Swap the coast for the city and fly to Hanoi, the capital where you’ll find a unique mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and French influences and where history and modernity live side by side. Wind your way through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, sip cappuccinos, the renowned Vietnamese coffee, in road side cafes or relax in one of the many parks or lakes.

Day 8: Hanoi to Halong Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Travel from Hanoi to the spectacular Halong Bay. Board a traditional Junk boat for an overnight cruise through the surreal and breathtaking landscape of these World Heritage listed waters where over 3,000 limestone islands rise right out from the water. Watch the unforgettable scenery as we cruise past mountains, islands, beaches and grottos while we lunch onboard. Take a bamboo row boat to explore the lagoon, coral and water tunnels or watch sunset from the top of Titov Mountain. Dinner is onboard. Overnight Cruise

Day 9: Halong Bay to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Wake to a view of sunrise over jade green waters. View the simple fishing villages perched on the tiny islands, swim and relax on the large deck before enjoying lunch and heading back to Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the morning exploring Hanoi before a late check out and the end of another singles vacation.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Hanoi. Night on board.

Day 2: Hanoi

Arrive in Vietnam and transfer to your hotel. Take the opportunity to explore this bustling city and get to know your surroundings. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off on an orientation tour of Hanoi to discover the most emblematic sights of this historic city. Pass by old French colonial buildings and the Opera House on your way to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex and Mausoleum, dedicated to the nation's founder.* Also see Ba Dinh Square and One Pillar Pagoda, which dates back to the foundation of the city. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, home to beautiful gardens and well-preserved architecture. Afterwards, enjoy a cyclo ride (a type of Vietnamese rickshaw) around the charming streets of the Old Quarter and visit a bustling local market. End your tour on the banks of beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, where you can learn about the legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hanoi. * Please note: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is viewed from the outside on Mondays, Fridays and in the afternoons as it is closed at these times.

Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to being your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board. * There will be no guide on board.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An

Brunch on board as the junk continues to cruise before you return to Ha Long port. Disembark and transfer to Hai Phong airport for a flight to Danang. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and then transfer to your hotel in the charming city of Hoi An, known for its pretty lantern-lit streets. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of atmospheric Hoi An. This former port and UNESCO World Heritage site is full of architectural gems that show a range of influences. You can admire these charming houses along Tran Phu Street, one of the oldest in Hoi An, visit the 400 years-old Japanese covered bridge, the Chinese temple, and a traditional Vietnamese merchants house. The afternoon is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional Thu Bon River & Organic Village Excursion.* Overnight stay in Hoi An. * Optional Full-Day Thu Bon River & Organic Village Excursion: Experience real rural life in Vietnam with this full-day tour, which includes a cruise on the Thu Bon River, passing many fishing areas. Stop at Van Lang Village to witness basket boat racing, before heading to Tra Que Herb Village, where local farmers will give you an insight into their organic produce. Enjoy a culinary masterclass in Vietnamese cuisine before enjoying a delicious lunch.

Day 7: Hoi An - Hue

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel along one of Vietnams most scenic highways towards the city of Hue. Along the way, stop at the white sands of Lang Co Beach and the top of Hai Van Pass for exceptional views. Arrive in Hue and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city's sights. Visit the Imperial City and the Royal Citadel. Much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored. Next, visit King Khai Dinh Mausoleum and browse through a bustling local market. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Hue.

Day 8: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War. Continue to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon. The tour finishes with Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in this exciting city.* We recommend an optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. * Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Depart to Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu bridge. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributes of Mekong River while witnessing the lively activities of local life along the way. Stop at a brick kiln and visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Take a motorized cart or bicycle along the shady paths and pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to discover everyday life on the river. Take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before you return to the pier.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - US

Breakfast at the hotel. If your flight departs in the afternoon, we recommend the option to enjoy a half-day Cu Chi tunnels visit.* In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Optional Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion: Spend the morning exploring the impressive tunnel complex of Cu Chi, dug in 1948 for guerrillas to escape the bombardment of French forces. Explore the underground villages and understand the history of the tunnels.