Vietnam is a complicated mix of culture, history, tradition, and scenic beauty. It’s a connector between Chinese culture and SE Asian culture, with a French colonial twist. It’s a country with a war-torn past and a Communist present, which may seem intimidating for a visitor, but is quickly forgotten once you’re actually there, enjoying warm hospitality and vibrant daily life.
Our Vietnam tour will take you from top to bottom, and give you a survey of the many faces of this dynamic country. You’ll try street food, visit golden temples, float lanterns in Hanoi, and discover the many ways the Vietnamese drink coffee. From the peaceful waves on Ha Long Bay, to the chaotic streets of Saigon, Vietnam will delight and challenge you as you get to know a country that is understandably misunderstood.
Day One
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. You’ll be met at your hotel by your tour manager and local guide. Afterwards, let’s head out to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the site of the former Norodom palace and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. This evening, go with your group to a local restaurant to get to know each other over your welcome dinner.
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Day Two
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
This morning head out on a day trip to explore the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens and stop at a local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. Afterwards, paddle in sampans (small rowing boats) past coconut trees along the Mekong Delta. Take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages and learn about rural life and the industry created around coconut. Eat lunch at a restaurant in the heart of the Delta, sampling regional specialties such as the famous elephant ear fish. Cruise the major waterways to Ben Tre boat pier, then return by bus to Ho Chi Minh City. This evening, perhaps head out to sample some local specialties.
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Day Three
Overnight: Hoi An
Today you will head out early to catch a short flight to Danang, followed by a quick drive to Hoi An. After a chance to settle into your hotel, the group will set out for a walking tour around this ancient town. As the national trading center in the 16th century, Hoi An is home to the diversity of historical streets and homes. Stroll around the unusual cobblestone streets to admire the hundred century old Chinese houses, as well as Japanese, French, and European architecture. There are some incredible monuments that you should not miss. You also will have a chance to stop at a tailor-made shop to get your favorite clothes.
Hoi An people believe hanging colorful lanterns in front of their house or shop brings good luck, happiness and wealth to the family. This afternoon, join a hands-on class to guide you to make your own foldable lantern from bamboo and silk to take home as a souvenir.
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Day Four
Overnight: Hoi An
Spend the morning at your leisure, sleeping in, souvenir shopping, or relax at the beach perhaps. This afternoon, take a 30 minute cruise down the Bon River to Old Town. You will then bike ride through quiet country lanes, passing rice paddies, waterways, and friendly locals. Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village and stop for a refreshing drink along the way. End the day with a delicious, authentic meal at a local family restaurant. The 10-kilometre bike ride is on flat terrain and suitable for those with basic cycling ability.
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Day Five
Overnight: Hoi An
Today you will have the opportunity to explore the taste and smell of Hoi An with a local chef. First you will visit a local market and explore the vibe while you shop for ingredients. Your chef will take you through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations and stories, unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals. Enjoy the fruits of your success in the finished product, a meal with your group.
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Day Six
Overnight: Hue
After breakfast, we will depart by car for Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and then enjoy a cyclo tour. Journey through the streets of Hue, travelling around the citadel, passing through the local fruit and vegetable markets before stopping over at Ho Chi Minh’s house. Tonight, head into the home of a local family and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner, along with talk about customs and stories passed on through generations. You’ll be chatting and laughing over your chopsticks in no time!
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Day Seven
Overnight: Overnight train to Hanoi
After breakfast, start with an exploration of Tu Duc Mausoleum, the largest and the most luxurious tomb in Vietnam. Then, enjoy the peace at Thien Mu pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue city. In the afternoon, we will visit Imperial Citadel, the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945).
Back to the hotel and relax until the overnight train departure time to Hanoi tonight.
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Day Eight
Overnight: Halong Bay cruise
Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, check into the hotel and have a short rest. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to the gem of north Vietnam – Halong Bay. From the harbor, board our boat for an all-inclusive cruise among the numerous limestone karst rising from the emerald water. Make a stop en route to visit a grotto of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
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Day Nine
Overnight: Hanoi
This morning is an opportunity to join in on a Tai Chi session on the sundeck with a light breakfast of tea, coffee, and pastries. After breakfast, enjoy your time to sunbathe and relax with the impressive backdrop of the bay. After brunch on board in the late morning, transfer back to Hanoi to check back into the hotel.
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Day Ten
Overnight: Hanoi
This afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Literature – famous for being the first university of Vietnam. You will recognize that this is a popular place for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs when graduating. Next, visit Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts, which is set in a beautifully preserved building that fuses French colonial and traditional Vietnamese architecture; the museum showcases lacquer paintings, folk art, and rare artifacts. We will have our farewell dinner together, and this evening you will be entertained by a unique water-puppet performance hosted by a local family, who are experts in this art form.
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Day Eleven
Tour is over after breakfast
Our Vietnam tour ends after breakfast. Your guide will be on hand to help with transfers to the airport or wherever your adventures take you. Thank you and goodbye!
Our founder Sarah is a professional tour guide, travel writer, and artist with over 20 years of experience leading travelers around the globe. After earning a degree in architecture, she traded the drafting board for a life of adventure, guiding tours and sharing her travel expertise through writing, speaking engagements and media appearances.
A former Rick Steves guidebook researcher and co-author of Rick Steves Sicily, Sarah is also known for her popular packing-focused insights and content helping travelers around the world streamline their journeys. Based in Seattle but often found exploring the world, Sarah brings passion, insight, and a love for culture to every tour she leads.
Price: $4495 (International air not included) per person for a double occupancy room. Single Supplement is $749. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.
Click the Book Now button to start the booking process. Remember, you can save yourself the credit card fees (2.9%) by choosing US Checking Account/ACH instead as your payment method on our booking system.
What’s included: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners, and 10 nights lodging in a clean, comfortable, and centrally located hotel. All admissions and fees for group activities. Transport within the tour and private guides, tips included.
Deposit Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is due upon booking. Please review our terms and conditions below for more information.
Vietnam tour begins in Saigon/Ho Chi Mihn City (airport code SGN) and ends in Hanoi (HAN).
If you have additional questions please email us at info@adventureswithsarah.net
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