Vietnam Highlights & Island

Vietnam Highlights & Island Overview

This holiday shows the highlights of Vietnam but finishes on one of our favourite tropical islands for some much needed beach time after all the fascinating explorations! See the huge contrasts between Hanoi and Saigon, take a cruise in Halong Bay, before pottering at leisure through Hoi An and finishing on the paradise-like island of Phu Quoc.

DAY 1 - WELCOME TO HANOI!
Your private driver and English-speaking guide will give you a warm welcome when you land in Hanoi. They will then drive you through the bustling capital to your central hotel in the Old Quarter. where you can relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure. We love La Siesta Hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter – it’s one of our favourite boutique hideaways! (Deluxe room)

DAY 2 - EXPLORE HANOI LIKE A LOCAL
This morning you will explore Hanoi like a local; walk down the capital’s winding streets with a private walking, try local street food and have a local whipped coffee in a hidden coffee shop before exploring Hoa Lo Prison where American and French POWs were once held. The morning will finish with an opportunity to sample Bun Cha – a noodle speciality that Hanoi is famous for. The afternoon is free at leisure.

DAY 3 - TWO NIGHTS IN HALONG BAY
Join your cruise companions in an air conditioned mini bus and travel four-hours east to Halong Bay, a beautiful emerald green bay pierced by hundreds of towering lush islets as far as the eye can see. Here you will embark on a wonderful two-night cruise. Treasure Junk is a wonderful boat as it takes a different route to the rest of the crowds on the bay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included, as is swimming and kayaking. (Superior Cabin).

DAY 5 - MORNING IN HALONG BAY & FLY TO HOI AN
Wake up amongst the majestic islets of Halong Bay and take a bamboo boat to visit secluded floating village surrounded by the mountains. Observe the floating houses and small rowing boats of another world before bidding farewell to the majestic Halong Bay at about 11.30am and travel back to Hanoi. This evening fly to Hoi An and check into the Allegro Hotel (Junior Suite).

DAYS 6 & 7 - ENJOY HOI AN AT LEISURE
Take two full days to soak up this glorious beach town. Hoi An has it all; delicious cuisine, fabulous tailors and shopping and a beautiful beach just 4 km away. We haven’t organised anything for you for these days so you can explore and sunbathe at your own pace (but do ask us about local excursions here including a fun fishing trip in traditional basket boats with local fishermen!)

DAY 8 - FLY TO SAIGON
This morning you will fly to the modern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). Here you will enjoy a private city tour of the highlights that gets under the skin of the city including French Colonial architecture, the War Museum, Reunification Palace and the historic Opera House among other sights. Enjoy your evening at leisure from your central hotel – Alagon d’Antique (deluxe room).

DAY 9 - EXPLORE THE UNDERGROUND WAR TUNNELS
This morning you will be take a speedboat to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, more than 200 km of tunnels were built here by the Vietnamese guerrillas, where they lived and fought during the American War. You can explore the bedrooms, meeting rooms, air-raid shelters, smokeless kitchens, and experience a unique underground world. The best bit? Not only to you travel in speedboat to avoid the city traffic but you arrive before all the other tourists! Afternoon is free at leisure.

DAY 10 - KICK BACK ON A TROPICAL ISLAND
This morning you will take a short 45-minute flight to the tropical island of Phu Quoc. The long sandy beach of appropriately named Long Beach on the island is one of the finest in Vietnam and you are in a wonderful position at Cassia Cottages – not too busy but lots of lovely little restaurants on the beach that are lit by lanterns and candles at night. It is the perfect to unwind and spend the last few days of your holiday (modern premium room).

DAYS 11 - 13 - RELAX ON THE BEACH
Enjoy three full days at the beach relaxing and soaking up the sea, salt and sand. Cassia has a fantastic restaurant so you may not wish to stray too far but there are plenty of other lovely dining options and bars around. You can also explore some of the island’s lesser visited beaches if you wish to explore or head to the island’s bustling capital with its night market.

DAY 14 - SAFE TRAVELS!
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and kiss goodbye to the pretty sands of Phu Quoc. You will be driven back to the island airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you can catch your international flight home. Safe travels!