A short tour from Hanoi to Saigon designed for those who wish to capture the essence of Vietnam but have a short amount of time.

Includes Hanoi and her old merchant streets, Halong Bay, the opportunity to explore a little of Vietnam’s ancient history in the Imperial city of Hue and to shop in the markets of Hoi An. The tour ending in Cosmopolitan Saigon

What you will see and do:

• Halong Bay overnight cruise on a traditional Junk
• Explore historic Hoi An
• Vist the Imperial City of Hue
• See the Cu Chi Tunnels
• Sightsee in cosmopolitan Saigon

Accommodation:
Our groups stay in three star modern hotels and accommodation is twin share and single rooms are available (supplement applies).

Group Size & Departures:
Tours are guaranteed to depart with 4 people on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Groups are no bigger than 12 travellers.

This tour can also be booked as a private tour with your choice of accommodation and departing on a day that suits you. It can also be done in reverse. Simply contact us for more details.

Your Guide:
This is a locally guided tour. Our local operator is one of the most experienced in Vietnam and is fully registered. You will be joined for each "section" of the tour by a local expert guide.

This means that your guide in Hanoi will be different from the one in Saigon, but they both work for for the same operator and will take excellent care of you!

Your Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive In Hanoi

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our driver and tour guide. Transfer to hotel for check-in. Check-in time is 14:00 pm; early check-in is subject to availability. This afternoon, visit to the beautiful Museum of Ethnology. Here you can begin to get an understanding of Vietnam's diverse culture, through its unique presentation of objects and dress of the various ethnic groups.

Enjoy a walking tour around Hanoi Old Quarter with a one-hour cyclo (cycle rickshaw) ride around the city! This evening attend a traditional water puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese artform especially designed for depicting scenes of rural life, as well as many episodes of national history.

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Day 2 - Hanoi - Halong (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we transfer around (approx 3.5 hours) to Halong City with a break en route at a local coffee shop. Arriving about noon at the quayside, we board on Huong Hai junk to begin a cruise through the spectacular Halong Bay, stopping along the way to explore the limestone caves or just lazing about atop the deck of our boat.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders. The tiny limestone islands are dotted with many beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves and provide an excellent backdrop for swimming. Lunch and dinner served on board.

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Day 3 - Halong, Hanoi, Hanoi – Hue (By Air) (Brunch)

Enjoy breakfast on board and continue your exploration of Halong Bay. At 11:00 am,
disembark the junk and transfer back to Hanoi Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue.
Upon arrival, meet guide and transfer to hotel for check-in.

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Day 4 - Hue, Hue Da Nang, Hoi An (B)

After breakfast, we take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s most preserved religious monument. The pagoda with its seven-storey tower stands on the riverbank. Visit the Imperial Citadel and local Dong Ba market. Afternoon, drive to Da Nang via the Hai Van pass, ‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds’, where you will have a spectacular view of the central coastline from the summit.

En route, stop for visit Cham Museum, China beach. Then proceed to Hoi An, a former international trading port during the 17th-18th century. Hoi An has an eclectic mix of western and eastern-influenced architecture. Check in at your hotel.

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Day 5 - Hoi An (B)

After breakfast, we take a walking tour of the ancient town centre. Visit the former merchant’s houses built in a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles.

Also visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge constructed in 1593; Sa Huynh Museum located near the Japanese covered Bridge, which contains exhibits from the earliest period of Hoi An's history and the colourful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties.

The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be fashioned into fine garments, all within a day. Afternoon is free at leisure.

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Day 6 - Da Nang, Saigon (Air) (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang airport, where you’ll take morning flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, meet guide and transfer to hotel. Check-in time is 14:00 pm, early check-in is subject to availability. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

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Day 7 - Saigon, Cuchi Tunnels And City Tour (B)

In the morning, we enjoy a 2-hour-drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district. Upon arrival in Cu Chi, experience for yourself the underground village built by Cu Chi guerrilla fighters over the course of forty years, the remains of a real bloody battle field.

This is a complex network of tunnels built during the long years of ongoing war. This afternoon, discover Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, a highlight tour of the former Presidential Palace, once headquarters for the Saigon Government during the “American War”, and a choice of the Historical Museum (closed on Mondays) or the War Remnant Museum.

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Day 8 - Saigon, Departure (B)

After breakfast, time is free until your transfer to the airport for onward travel.

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The tour is priced from NZ$1557pp share twin and includes:
6 x Breakfast 1 x Brunch 1 x Lunch 1 x Dinner, Local guides, Modern Air-conditioned vehicles, All entrances fees Accommodation, Halong Cruise and Meals as indicated.

Private departures with a minimum of 2 travellers from NZ$1810pp discount for 4 or more travellers.