Classic Vietnam

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

A country of astonishing beauty and resilience, Vietnam is a destination that has risen in spectacular fashion from the ashes of one of the bloodiest and most contentious conflicts of the last century. Fed by the waters of the Mekong, its classic landscapes are enhanced by the wonderful additions of a charmingly hospitable people, some of the finest cuisine in the world and two of Southeast Asia’s most exciting cities.

This comprehensive 15-day journey through the country’...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore backstreets and culinary hotspots by motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City and Hue
  • Cruise the limestone karst landscapes of Halong Bay and through colourful floating markets in the Mekong Delta
  • Step back in time and explore rural villages and ancient UNESCO sites from the north to the south
  • Sample Vietnam’s renowned culinary delights and enjoy the warm hospitality of local families
  • Learn about Vietnam’s history and traditions through folklore and creative performances in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
  • Admire colourful lanterns and mesmerising reflections as you kayak downriver into Hoi An’s captivating Ancient Town at sunset

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE HANOI

Day 1 ARRIVE HANOI

On arrival into Hanoi you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel. After freshening up, take a one-hour cyclo tour of this charming capital city. Your guide will tell you about the places you are passing amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life that will surround you.

La Siesta Classic Ma May

Day 2 HANOI: CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Day 2 HANOI: CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Spend the day exploring some the city's fascinating sites, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoa Lo Prison, the Hanoi Hilton Museum where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war, the Temple of Literature, and Ethnology Museum. Enjoy walks around Hoan Kiem Lake, where Hanoians enjoy their early mornings with Tai Chi and 'Vietnamese style' aerobics, as well the eclectic Old Quarter where streets are named after the trades practiced here since the 15th century. In the evening attend a traditional water puppet show unique to Vietnamese culture, before enjoying a delicious dinner at one of our recommended restaurants.

La Siesta Classic Ma May
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 HANOI: STEP BACK IN TIME

Day 3 HANOI: STEP BACK IN TIME

Today you will get to explore beyond the highlights and delve deeper into Hanoi's past as you set off around the ancient Nom village and the surrounding rural area. This is a wonderful opportunity to trace back the origin of Vietnam's culture and traditions as you meet with local villagers and explore ancient houses and communal places of worship.

La Siesta Classic Ma May
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 HANOI - HALONG BAY

Day 4 HANOI - HALONG BAY

Set off this morning to the beautiful Halong Bay. Here you will board one of our favourite junk boats and cruise through the quieter northern area of the bay, where you can stop to visit island caves and remote sandy beaches. Enjoy dinner and drinks on board as the sun sets over this magical setting.

Dragon's Legend
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 HALONG BAY - HANOI

Day 5 HALONG BAY - HANOI

Begin the day with morning Tai Chi exercises and an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Enjoy another morning floating between islands as you slowly make your way back to Halong Bay's main harbour, from where you will transfer back to Hanoi and can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

La Siesta Classic Ma May
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 HANOI - HOI AN

Day 6 HANOI - HOI AN

This morning you will catch a flight to Danang where you will be met and transferred to the beautiful quaint town of Hoi An. After checking in and freshening up, set out on foot and explore the magical Ancient Town with your guide, discovering ancestral homes and lovely hidden pagodas.

La Siesta Hoi An Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 HOI AN: KAYAK INTO THE ANCIENT TOWN

Day 7 HOI AN: KAYAK INTO THE ANCIENT TOWN

This afternoon is a wonderful way to discover Hoi An's surroundings, as you transfer to a nearby village to begin your kayaking adventure. After a detailed safety briefing, take to the water and slowly make your way through countryside and villages until you reach the colourful lanterns of Hoi An's ancient town, viewing this magical town from a very unique perspective, as the sun sets and the lanterns twinkle in the calm river waters.

La Siesta Hoi An Hotel
Breakfast

Day 8 HOI AN: EXPLORE BY BICYCLE

Day 8 HOI AN: EXPLORE BY BICYCLE

Set off by bicycle this morning as you explore Cam Kim Island, an area rich in traditional crafts where you can learn about the artists and tradesmen of this area and traditional creative methods that go back centuries. This afternoon is free to relax or explore at leisure.

La Siesta Hoi An Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 HOI AN - HUE

Day 9 HOI AN - HUE

Today you will travel north across the Hai Van Pass to the historic city of Hue. The route will take you along the spectacular central coastline and the edges of the Annamite Mountain Range to where it finally meets the sea.

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa
Breakfast

Day 10 HUE: IMPERIAL HISTORY

Day 10 HUE: IMPERIAL HISTORY

Start your day by exploring the old capital city, a World Cultural Heritage Site located southeast of the Citadel along the banks of the Perfume River. Here you’ll discover several royal tombs and will be given an insight into Hue’s fascinating imperial history. After a delicious local lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful 19th century Citadel, now a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 HUE: BACKSTREETS BY MOTORBIKE

Day 11 HUE: BACKSTREETS BY MOTORBIKE

Relax as you sit behind your trusted driver on a motorbike for a journey through the backstreets where you will gain insight into both past and present cultural traditions in and around Hue, exploring the less-visited outskirts of the city as you meet locals and enjoy a delicious lunch cooked by the resident Buddhist nuns in a local village.

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 HUE - HO CHI MINH CITY

Day 12 HUE - HO CHI MINH CITY

Enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport in time to catch your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Fusion Suites Saigon
Breakfast

Day 13 HO CHI MINH CITY: CULTURE AND CULINARY ADVENTURE

Day 13 HO CHI MINH CITY: CULTURE AND CULINARY ADVENTURE

Enjoy a full day exploring the vibrant and bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City as you sit behind your trusted driver on a motorbike and wind your way through backstreets as you travel between the classic historical highlights of the city. Meet with locals and learn about daily life, sampling many culinary delights as you go, before ending at the private home of a local family of musicians, where you will hear stories of Vietnamese history and culture, before enjoying an intimate concert of traditional Vietnamese melodies.

Fusion Suites Saigon
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 HO CHI MINH CITY: MEKONG DELTA

Day 14 HO CHI MINH CITY: MEKONG DELTA

Up early this morning you will be driven into the fascinating Mekong Delta area, where you will board a small private boat and explore backwaters and islands, passing rice paddies and pottery factories, and meeting the friendly local villagers as you go. Enjoy a special lunch with a local family in the setting of a beautiful traditional garden house, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. This evening you will then be treated to fascinating performance at the Saigon Opera House, which showcases the poetic beauty of Vietnam, where rural traditions and stories are recreated by bamboo props, breathtaking acrobatics, rhythmic dance and mesmerizing folk music. After the show, your guide will take you “Di Vong Vong”, the local Vietnamese custom of going around on motorbike meeting friends and seeing the sites at night. Capture some great night shots along the way, stop by some great food and drink spots before winding up back at your hotel.

Fusion Suites Saigon
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY

Day 15 DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY

You will be transferred to the airport today in time to catch your onward flight.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

15 days from £4,135

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 11494 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

OTHER ITINERARIES IN VIETNAM