Vietnam Explorer
Overview
Highlights
- See Vietnam in depth on a 3-week journey from Hanoi, the Central Highlands to the Mekong
- Enjoy an extended 2-night junk cruise to see more of stunning Halong Bay
- Scenic drive through the beautiful Central Highlands where we trek, raft and visit tribal villages
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Arrive in the architecturally styled city of Hanoi. Designed like a French provincial town, with tree-lined boulevards, the streets are lined with food sellers tempting you with all manner of noodles, snacks and stir-fried delights from shoulder panniers, all adding ...
This morning we make a tour of the main sights of Hanoi. Among the interesting sights are the charming One-Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace, a very fine example of French colonial architecture. Ho Chi Minh himself, a spartan-living and scholarly man, chose no...
This morning we drive out towards the magnificent Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thousands of jagged limestone islands rise out of the jade green waters like the hairy scales of a submerged dragon. In fact Ha Long means 'where the dragon descends to the sea' as leg...
We'll have the chance to stop at an island or Three Peaches beach under towering cliffs and fringed with thick jungle. You will have the opportunity to sea kayak through stunning limestone scenery - we carry our own kayaks and lifejackets and instruction is provided (...
This morning we board local rowing boats cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay. Enjoying our brunch while on the boat we get to see Bai Tho mountains and Ha Long market. During our cruise we sail to the beautiful caves of Hang Luon. We then return to Hanoi where we have day rooms before boarding the overnight sleeper train for the journey to Hué - bedding provided.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
We arrive in Hué, one of the great cultural and religious centres of Vietnam, a quietly impressive place and a major highlight of our trip. The Perfume River divides the city in two and it has been the inspiration for poets and painters for many centuries. In the afte...
To appreciate Hue's fascinating history we'll tour the Old Citadel in the morning. The citadel/palace built by the Nguyen dynasty (early 1800's to 1945) has formal moats and impressive ramparts and was an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Although most of t...
This morning we enjoy a scenic drive across the spectacular Col des Nuages, otherwise known as the Hai Van Pass observing rural scenes of thatched, wooden houses and lime-green rice paddies as well as enjoying panoramic sea views. Pausing in Danang, once the centre of...
The Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century and by the 18th century it had become one of the busiest international trading ports of South-East Asia. Hoi An still retains its medieval charm with old buildings and colourful markets. During our stay here we include a...
Bicycles here are inexpensive and a great way to get out into the surrounding countryside or perhaps take a trip to the nearby beaches. Hoi An is also renowned for its many craft and tailors' shops. You may wish to take an optional excursion to Quang Ngai, the site of...
Our journey takes us inland through the mountains of the Central Highlands to the market town of Kon Tum. It is a long day of travel but the stunning scenery and opportunity to see this rural area more than make up for it.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
On our second day here we walk out to Kon Ko Tu, one of the many Bahnar tribal villages in the surrounding area (approx 5 hours walking, graded easy to moderate). We walk through cassava and sugar plantations and pass several stilted villages en route. After lunch the...
We drive south today through the Central Highlands, to Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak Province's administrative centre and the Western Highlands' unofficial capital. Although a nondescript town, there are many minority Ede villages in this region, and we head south to Lak Lak...
We rise early this morning to take a boat out onto Lak Lake for sunrise. We then continue on foot to Yang Tao village where we learn about how this small community produces pottery and harvests its plentiful cacao supply to support the village. Later, we continue so...
Today we enjoy this seaside town, famed for its clear warm water, delicious seafood and white sand beach. We plan a boat trip to some of the outlying islands to swim and relax (dependent on local weather conditions).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Today we fly to Ho Chi Minh City where we have a walking tour of the city's central sights including the National Assembly, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace and the War Crimes Museum. The afternoon is free for you to walk around this charm...
This morning we drive to Sa Dec, a peaceful town in the heart of the Mekong Delta. We explore the town on foot, walking through its narrow streets lined with centuries-old houses and Chinese Temples. We then make our way to the dock where we board our specially charte...
After a hearty breakfast, we wave goodbye to our hosts and continue our cruise up the delta, first stopping at My An. Here we meet a family of traditional brick makers, learning how they have been using their kiln to fire bricks for local industries for generations. ...
We venture out this morning to explore one of the biggest floating markets in the area, Cai Rang. This market is the coming together of boats big and small from all parts of the Mekong Delta. We'll have a chance to watch the lively morning trade in fish, flowers, hand...
This morning we'll take a short drive out of the city to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which formed an amazing underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops and were a major part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. We then have a final group night before our adventure ends in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Ho Chi Minh City at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. ...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Ian
Mar 2024
Vietnam Explorer
Lot's of variety and some great optional activities. I loved the 'tented' camp (...
Michael
Feb 2024
Vietnam Explorer
This was a magnificent three-week trip, covering Vietnam fr...
Graeme
Apr 2023
Vietnam Explorer
Successive highlights including Halong Bay, Hue, the Highlands and the Mekong Delta. No downsides at all. Brilliant tour leader, Thin Ton, who was always friendly, k...
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- Breakfast : 19
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- Lunch : 5
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