Vietnam: Historic Cities & Halong Bay Cruising
12 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
Itinerary
Day 1Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at any time.
Welcome to the pulsing Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. For your first night out, wander with your CEO and group through Pham Ngu Lao Street that’s popping with many bars and backpackers. Pick the best looking spot and get to know your fellow travellers and cheers to new adventures.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. Please check with your travel agent or local Vietnamese Embassy regarding requirements.
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Day 2Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang
Discover the energy of Vietnam's biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk and continue exploring with free time. Overnight train to Nha Trang.
During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Free Time
Use your free time as you want in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. Shop 'til your heart's content, immerse yourself in local culture, or just wander the streets to take in the city's unique vibe.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Ben Thanh Market
Wander this bustling market for more insight into Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and experience local living. Learn a little history along the way; Ben Thanh started as a cluster of street vendors selling wares by the Saigon River, and was formalized into a true market in 1859.
Cholon Visit
Take in the busy rhythm of daily life in Cholon, the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Tour the area full of teahouses, pagodas, and people, and learn a little more about the unique culture within the city.
Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour
23-27USD per personTake a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
Dam Sen Water Park Visit
4USD per personGet away from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City at this nearby water park. A lush setting and refreshing water make Dam Sen the perfect place for the whole family to cool off and have some fun—splash around or take a ride down one of the slides.
Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Tour
10USD per personTake a city tour on a cyclo (cycle rickshaw) – a great way to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of Ho Chi Minh City while keeping your hands free for that camera action.
Reunification Palace Visit
2USD per personWander the historic halls of the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. This former home of the South Vietnamese president during the Vietnam War became the location of the end of the war when a North Vietnamese tank pushed through the palace gates on April 30, 1975.
War Remnants Museum Visit
2USD per personVisit the War Remnants Museum, a gut-wrenching but worthwhile experience that includes three storeys of exhibits and military hardware. Learn about the devastation that occurred in Saigon during the Vietnam War, a period that greatly contrasts the joy and liveliness of the Vietnamese people today.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Nha Trang
Arrive in Nha Trang in the morning with plenty of time to explore local shops and markets, relax on the beach or visit nearby historical sites.
This evening, go on a street food crawl with the group and CEO to get to know more about the delicious local specialties.
Optional activities in Nha Trang include a boat trip to nearby islands for some snorkelling or, perhaps, a fun-filled all-day beach party.
Free Time
Spend your free time in this scenic resort town any way you want – go for a spa treatment, cycle around the city or just kick back and relax on a white sand beach.
Your Foodie Moment: Nha Trang Street Food Crawl
Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Snorkelling
Book a snorkelling day trip near one of the local tropical islands. Grab a snorkel and explore Nha Trang Bay's underwater world.
Nha Trang Boat Tour and Snorkelling
29USD per personBoard a boat in the morning at Nha Trang's harbour for hours of fun. Begin with a visit to an island fishing village to take in daily life by foot, then take a ride in a basket boat. Afterwards, go for a swim or snorkel. Relax on the beach before heading back to Nha Trang.
Mud Bath Visit
20USD per personTake a relaxing dip in the therapeutic mud baths of Nha Trang. Thought to possess healing properties, the mud baths are the perfect place to unwind.
Day 4Nha Trang/Da Nang
Free time in Nha Trang. Overnight train to Hoi An.
In the evening, take an overnight train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An.
During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Free Time
Spend your free time in this seaside resort town any way you want – go for a spa treatment, cycle around the city or just kick back on a white sand beach.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Snorkelling
Book a snorkelling day trip near one of the local tropical islands. Grab a snorkel and explore Nha Trang Bay's underwater world.
Nha Trang Boat Tour and Snorkelling
29USD per personBoard a boat in the morning at Nha Trang's harbour for hours of fun. Begin with a visit to an island fishing village to take in daily life by foot, then take a ride in a basket boat. Afterwards, go for a swim or snorkel. Relax on the beach before heading back to Nha Trang.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Da Nang/Hoi An
Get your bearings with an orientation walk before free time in the afternoon. Opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hoi An Orientation Walk
Join your CEO on a stroll through the winding streets of Hoi An's Old Town and spot Chinese assembly halls, historic homes, and well-preserved pagodas along the way. (Entrance fee to Hoi An's Old Town is not included)
Free Time
Get out and explore this beautiful city.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Tailor Shops
Go home with some new (handmade!) clothes from one of Hoi An’s famous tailor shops. Walk the streets lined with hundreds of local shops that turn out gorgeous suits, dresses, winter coats, shoes, purses – almost anything – in a day's time to create next season's wardrobe.
Cua Dai Beach
Play in the surf at Cua Dai beach about 4km (2.5 mi) away from the Old Town. Make your own picnic of local food and rest under one of the palm trees lining the shore.
Day 6Hoi An
Enjoy a noodle-making demonstration and local lunch at the G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles Project. Later, opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town with free time.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time in Hoi An any way you want. Check out the beach, take in some local culture or purchase some custom-made clothing from one of the talented tailors in town.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
6USD per personStroll through the narrow winding streets of Hoi An’s old town to see Chinese assembly halls, ancestral homes, The Japanese Covered Bridge, and well-preserved pagodas on this self-guided tour. Opt to try local delicacies and fusion food at one of the restaurants for which Hoi An is becoming famous.
Tailor Shops
Go home with some new (handmade!) clothes from one of Hoi An’s famous tailor shops. Walk the streets lined with hundreds of local shops that turn out gorgeous suits, dresses, winter coats, shoes, purses – almost anything – in a day's time to create next season's wardrobe.
Cua Dai Beach
Play in the surf at Cua Dai beach about 4km (2.5 mi) away from the Old Town. Make your own picnic of local food and rest under one of the palm trees lining the shore.
Hoi An Bike and Boat Tour
Enjoy a peaceful exploration of the villages around Hoi An, cycling through rice paddies and along narrow country lanes. Take advantage of this tour – it includes a boat trip through the water palm forest and a visit to the farming village of Tra Que.
Thu Bon River Boat Trip
12USD per personThe Thu Bon River plays an important part in Hoi An's history and culture. Take a trip down the Thu Bon by river boat for an alternative tour of the city.
Mỹ Sơn Excursion
38USD per personTravel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma. Please note this optional activity is a half-day and includes a guide, transportation, and the entrance fee.
Hoi An Cooking Class
35USD per personTake a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Hoi An/Huế
Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, or take a cruise along the Perfume River.
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy your free time in Hue any way you want. Shop, eat, wander or relax - whatever suits your fancy.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Imperial Citadel Tour
7USD per personTour this one-time capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site. See the walled fortress and former palace, which has many palaces, gateways, courtyards, and gardens to explore. The Forbidden Purple City (modelled on China's Forbidden City) inside the citadel was once home to the imperial family and was significantly damaged during the Vietnam War.
Thien Mu Pagoda Visit
Visit Tien Mu, one of the tallest and, perhaps, most elegant pagodas in Vietnam, at seven storeys high. Take a step back in time touring this historic temple - built more than 400 years ago along the north shore of the Perfume River, it has been the site of many political protests.
Perfume River Cruise
10USD per personEnjoy this scenic evening cruise down the Perfume River. Shoot some memorable photographs and, perhaps, enjoy a nice cool breeze off the water.
Royal Tombs Entry
5USD per personVisit the Royal Tombs along the Perfume River in Hue. Embracing the concept of Feng Shui, these tombs are extremely ornate and provide fantastic insight into the lives of the former rulers.
Cycling
10USD per personTake to two wheels to see a true highlight of Hue – the countryside. See rural Vietnam, its villages, and cottage industries too.
Hue Motorbike Tour
Grab a helmet, hop on a motorbike driven by your experienced local guide, and get ready for a crash course in authentic Viet culture. Spend the next four hours exploring the stalls of a local market, admiring the view of the Perfume River, learning to plough and make rice, creating your own incense sticks, and seeing the most iconic local sights. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Huế/Hanoi
Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi.
Free Time
Enjoy your free time in Hue any way you want. Shop, eat, wander or rest - whatever suits your fancy.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Hue City Tour
Take a tour of this imperial city to see the Thiên Mụ Buddhist pagoda, the tallest religious building in the country, the Japanese bridge, and the tombs of the emperors. Visit the Dong Ba Markets for local specialties such as banh khoai (savoury pancakes) and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp).
Thien Mu Pagoda Visit
Visit Tien Mu, one of the tallest and, perhaps, most elegant pagodas in Vietnam, at seven storeys high. Take a step back in time touring this historic temple - built more than 400 years ago along the north shore of the Perfume River, it has been the site of many political protests.
Cycling
10USD per personTake to two wheels to see a true highlight of Hue – the countryside. See rural Vietnam, its villages, and cottage industries too.
Perfume River Cruise
10USD per personEnjoy this scenic evening cruise down the Perfume River. Shoot some memorable photographs and, perhaps, enjoy a nice cool breeze off the water.
Imperial Citadel Tour
7USD per personTour this one-time capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site. See the walled fortress and former palace, which has many palaces, gateways, courtyards, and gardens to explore. The Forbidden Purple City (modelled on China's Forbidden City) inside the citadel was once home to the imperial family and was significantly damaged during the Vietnam War.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Hanoi/Ha Long
Visit Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave visit.
Arrive early morning to bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Transfer to a private bus and head to the beautiful and famous Halong Bay.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hạ Long Bay Junk Boat Trip
Come aboard a sailing junk to cruise past thousands of limestone islands and karsts that rise from the waters of Halong Bay. See the intricate caves and beauty of the islands up close. Enjoy a seafood lunch and a visit to one of the island’s caves before transferring to the mainland for our overnight stay.
On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Kayaking
10USD per personTransfer from boat to kayak in this guided water tour, giving you the chance to get even closer to the stunning natural surroundings.
Meals included:
LunchDay 10Ha Long/Hanoi
Relax and enjoy the scenery on the ride to Hanoi. Get to know the big city with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Old Quarter Orientation Walk
Take an orientation walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Each street is named after the trade practiced on that street for several generations; it's an interesting glimpse into the life of a Hanoian in one of the oldest parts of town. Need a rest? Stop at Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool. Drink the local brew with the locals and make new friends.
Free Time
Enjoy free time in the afternoon to wander through the city.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Hoan Kiem Lake Walk
Take a break from city strolling and wander down by Hoan Kiem Lake. Walk along the water’s vibrant shoreline for some prime people watching. See if you can spot one of the famous 100-year-old turtles, which may still live in the popular lake.
Tran Quoc Pagoda Visit
Visit one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam located on the eastern shore of Tay Ho. Learn about Tran Quoc's history from the 17th-century stela found on site. View it later in the day, if you can – the tall structure is striking against the setting sun.
Museum of Ethnology Visit
2USD per personLearn about Vietnam’s various ethnic groups on this visit to the Museum of Ethnology – considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam.
Vietnamese Women's Museum
1.50USD per personThe Vietnamese Women's Museum highlights the significant contributions made by women in Vietnam. Take in an independent tour of the museum to gain an in-depth knowledge of women's role in Vietnamese culture, with a key focus on family, history and fashion.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum Visit
Free-1USD per personTour the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum built in the square where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Get in line to tour the grounds; queues of visitors come to pay their respects daily.
Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour
Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
Army Museum
2USD per personVisit Vietnam's famous Army Museum to learn more about the nation's struggle for independence. With exhibits featuring artifacts from China, France and the United States, this museum has a treasure trove of information to illustrate the country's spirit and determination.
Hoa Lo Prison Entry
1.50USD per personIndependently tour the museum of Hoa Lo Prison, referred to as Hanoi Hilton by American prisoners, to learn more about the Vietnam War.
Temple of Literature Entry
2USD per personVisit this sprawling temple built to honour Confucius, sages, and scholars. Dedicated to learning, it housed the country’s first university in 1076. Independently explore its five courtyards, containing various gates, altars, sanctuaries, shrines, the stelae of doctors, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity.
Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts and Presidential Palace
2USD per personTour the Presidential Palace grounds and learn more about Vietnam's former president Ho Chi Minh. After refusing to live in such opulent accommodations, he built a traditional Vietnamese stilt-house and garden on the grounds next to the palace.
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance
200000VND per personWatch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage. The price listed above is for a VIP seat.
Fine Arts Museum
2USD per personWander through the Fine Arts Museum, where you’ll find over 20,000 works of art housed in a former French colonial boarding school. Stand before some of Vietnam’s National Treasures, immerse yourself in traditional folk art, find sculptures inspired by deities or admire intricate lacquer and silk paintings you won’t find anywhere else.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Hanoi
Free time to continue exploring Hanoi.
Free Time
Enjoy your free time to discover the many highlights of fascinating Hanoi. Its museums, monuments, temples, and parks can keep visitors busy for days.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Hoan Kiem Lake Walk
Take a break from city strolling and wander down by Hoan Kiem Lake. Walk along the water’s vibrant shoreline for some prime people watching. See if you can spot one of the famous 100-year-old turtles, which may still live in the popular lake.
Tran Quoc Pagoda Visit
Visit one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam located on the eastern shore of Tay Ho. Learn about Tran Quoc's history from the 17th-century stela found on site. View it later in the day, if you can – the tall structure is striking against the setting sun.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum Visit
Free-1USD per personTour the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum built in the square where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Get in line to tour the grounds; queues of visitors come to pay their respects daily.
Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts and Presidential Palace
2USD per personTour the Presidential Palace grounds and learn more about Vietnam's former president Ho Chi Minh. After refusing to live in such opulent accommodations, he built a traditional Vietnamese stilt-house and garden on the grounds next to the palace.
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance
200000VND per personWatch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage. The price listed above is for a VIP seat.
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) Visit
Visit this sprawling temple built to honour Confucius, sages, and scholars. Dedicated to learning, it housed the country’s first university in 1076. Explore its five courtyards, containing various gates, altars, sanctuaries, shrines, the stelae of doctors, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Hanoi
Depart at any time.
Please note: some of your group will most likely continue travelling through Laos with G Adventures.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.