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Trafalgar - Highlights of Vietnam (01/2023 - 12/2023) (CTVAN18)

12 Days From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Style: Asia
Trafalgar Brochure Price from $2,909.00
Brochures: Asia 2022, Asia 2023 v1
Visits: Vietnam

Float on the sparkling emerald waters of Halong Bay on a traditional Vietnamese Junk. Glide past hidden islets, giant limestone karsts and colourful fishing villages, stopping only to gain insight into the lives of the local fishermen at Cua Van and to practice T’ai Chi in exquisite surroundings.
Choice Highlights

Must-see Highlights
  • : Explore Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City
  • : Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel in Hue, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels

Dive Into Culture
  • Hanoi: Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hanoi.
  • Hoi An: Visit the colourful market of Hoi An.
  • Hoi An: Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net.
  • Danang: Visit the Cham Museum in Danang.
  • Ho Chi Minh City: Visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s.

Trafalgar Difference
  • Halong Bay: Stay on a traditional style Vietnamese Junk boat for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay.

Be My Guest
  • Hue: Enjoy lunch at one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue where you will gain insight into the lives of a local family and admire their fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Ho Chi Minh City: Have lunch at Blanc restaurant, which provides employment to those who are deaf or hearing impaired. You'll interact with the staff and communicate your meal order using sign language during this unique dining experience concept.

Trafalgar Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Hanoi
Relish the warm embrace of Vietnam and her welcoming people, who will touch you with their humility and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your journey across this intoxicating land. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetisers.
Visits: Hanoi
Meals: Welcome Reception
Accommodation: Melia Hanoi
Day 2A Day to Discover Hanoi Dive Into Culture
This morning is dedicated to the revolutionary leader who fanned the flames of Vietnam’s independence. We begin our day with a visit to the final resting place of “Uncle Ho”, the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A short walk from here, we’ll find Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, where we’ll Dive Into Culture exploring the grounds surrounding the humble abode of Vietnam’s most famous son. We’ll continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, to gain insights into Hanoian culture. This afternoon, we’ll embark on a cyclo tour, weaving through the lively Old Quarter past colourful shopfronts and street food vendors. Enjoy an evening at leisure or consider joining one of our recommended Optional Experiences to watch a show that uses the ancient art of water puppetry to story-tell the daily lives of Vietnamese people.
Visits: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Melia Hanoi
Day 3Set Sail for Halong Bay Stays With Stories
We leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where we’ll board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for our leisurely cruise. After lunch on board, we’ll take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses. We return to our Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.
Visits: Hanoi, Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Jasmine Cruise
Day 4Onwards to Danang and Hoi An
The graceful practice of T’ai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a Local Specialist on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, a brisk walk to catch one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Visits: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Danang, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Hoi An
Day 5Uncover Historic Hoi An Dive Into Culture
Dive Into Culture this morning, embarking on a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An. Embrace its charm of yesteryear – the narrow lanes, colourful marketplaces and ancient temples providing insights into the Vietnam of old. See the old merchant houses and 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before visiting Thanh Dong Organic Village where you’ll spend some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines. Kick back and enjoy a relaxing foot massage that will set the pace for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Visits: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Hoi An
Day 6Local Life in Hoi An Dive Into Culture
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Hoi An further or simply relax at your hotel. Your choice of activities this afternoon could see you learn how to craft your own colourful lantern or gain insights into life as a local fisherman (subject to weather conditions). Create a work of art to bring your home luck and happiness, or cast your net wide for the catch of the day – the choice is yours.
Visits: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Hoi An
Day 7Head to Hue via Red Beach Dive Into Culture
The healthy flavours of Vietnamese cuisine take centre stage as we travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. We’ll have an opportunity to savour the dishes we’ve prepared for lunch before returning to Hoi An. This afternoon, our journey takes us over Hai Van Pass en route to Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam during the decades-long war. We continue to Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum before arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, for our overnight stay.
Visits: Hoi An, Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Imperial
Day 8See the Sights of Hue Connect with Locals
We’ll navigate the busy streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo en route to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once home to Nguyen emperors. From here, we drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Boarding a local dragon boat next, we cruise along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son where we’ll Connect With Locals and meet a family member for a Be My Guest lunch to gain a glimpse of their life in this historic house. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences.
Visits: Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Accommodation: Imperial
Day 9Journey to Ho Chi Minh City Make Travel Matter
A short flight this morning brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure before lunch at Blanc restaurant. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit supports a business which proudly employs a team of deaf or hearing impaired staff. You'll temporarily immerse yourself in a world of sign language interaction and communication, and tuck into tasty local dishes during this unique dining experience. The iconic sights of Ho Chi Minh are revealed on a walking tour of Dong Khoi Street next. See the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville. Then, wander up to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. Continue to the War Remnants Museum where you’ll have a vivid glimpse of the war through the eyes of the locals. Your final stop today is Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in old Saigon, before arriving at your hotel.
Visits: Hue, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Day 10Meander along the Mekong Delta
The mighty Mekong beckons today, as we take a day trip to My Tho, a nearby Delta market town. We’ll transfer to a small sampan boat and navigate the maze of small canals before stopping for a lunch of delicious Mekong Delta specialities. After a short walk along village roads, we’ll visit the house of a former soldier, a Local Specialist who survived fighting the Khmer Rouge. Indulge in the family’s colourful stories and learn how they make a living crafting rice paper, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.
Visits: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong River Delta, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Day 11Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels Dive Into Culture
We’ll delve into Vietnam’s turbulent history from the previous century with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels built to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. We’ll explore the underground compounds with a VC veteran and gain an understanding of the history of the tunnel, which once served as living quarters and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City by private speedboat, we’ll enjoy some free time this afternoon. Later, we’ll Dive Into Culture during a visit to the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, followed by a Farewell Dinner.
Visits: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Day 12Farewell to Ho Chi Minh City
Our discovery of the iconic and unexpected highlights of Vietnam at its end, take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Visits: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin
Child: ages 5 to 11

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