Classic Vietnam
From landscape to language, climate to culture, etiquette to ethnicity: travelling through Vietnam brings endless ascertainable differences. The busier and shinier south oozes energy and spontaneity, while the more rural, mountainous northern provinces march to a more solid beat.
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by a representative and privately transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi
This morning you’ll be transferred to your boat cruise along Vietnam’s waterways.
You’ll make stops along the way, gaining glimpses of cottage industries and local life, and call in at Tan Phong Islet where you’ll board a rowing boat to explore the canal’s hidden mangroves.
Your cruise ends at a local restaurant where lunch will be served in a lush tropical garden.
Afterwards you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Hanoi where you'll be met upon arrival.
Day 3 Hanoi
Today you’ll head towards Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, grabbing a cup of traditional local coffee as you go.
Next up, you’ll wander through Hanoi’s Old Quarter which is rich in French architecture. You’ll see St. Joseph Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison and Huu Tiep Lake, better known as ‘B-52 lake’, where US B-52 bomber wreckage can be found.
After lunch you’ll visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university for royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. Your last stop will be Hanoi’s railway tracks, which you can walk along while capturing some stunning photographs.
Day 4 Hanoi - Halong Bay
After breakfast, you’ll be escorted by private car to the port for your cruise around Halong Bay.
Your boat will proceed to Da Chong islet, where you’ll see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago.
After lunch you’ll continue to the islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan to witness limestone karst formations, before moving on to Ba Trai Dao beach.
You’ll return to watch a magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
Dinner will be served on board, and the rest of the evening will be spent at your leisure, relaxing with drinks, trying night squid fishing, or watching a movie.
Day 5 Halong Bay - Hue
This morning you’ll rise early for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck.
After breakfast you’ll head out in a canoe to explore Toi Sang cave and the surrounding bay.
Brunch will be served whilst cruising back to the port where you’ll be met by your driver and escorted your accommodation in Hanoi for a short flight to Hue.
Day 6 Hue
This morning you’ll be visiting the ancient village of Thuy Bieu. Bridging the strictness of the artistically structured Citadel and the grandeur of the rich countryside, the area is known for being a symbol of harmony with its communal houses and Fengshui-based gardens.
Afterwards, a boat will take you along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the Forbidden Purple City.
Day 7 Hue - Hoi An
After breakfast, be driven to visit the tombs of the emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh on the way to Hoi An.
Your journey will continue towards Hoi An, passing through stunning scenery such as Hai Van Pass, which is the boundary between the climates of northern and southern Vietnam.
Day 8 Hoi An
You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken for breakfast.
Explore Hoi An’s local market, which combines a myriad of alleyways with local workshops and stop for drinks overlooking the river. Continue your adventure through the Old Town, passing through the famous Japanese covered bridge and ending with a local family who’ll reveal how they make hand-made lanterns.
Day 9 Hoi An
Rise early for your cycling tour around Hoi An’s historic district, incorporating rural pathways, small villages, family farms and rice fields.
The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure. Your Lightfoot Travel Designer can advise of activities prior to departure.
Day 10 Hoi An
After a morning at leisure you’ll head towards the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Cham Ruins of My Son.
The temples and towers of My Son were built by the Cham people during the time of The Cham Kingdom, which once dominated the region and was eventually conquered by the Vietnamese and Khmer.
Day 11 Departure
Today you’ll be escorted to the airport for your onward flight home.
- Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, including St. Joseph Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison, and Huu Tiep Lake
- Amble along Hanoi’s railway tracks, capturing stunning photographs as you go
- Sail around Halong Bay and witness the limestone karst islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan
- Visit Hue and enjoy a boat ride along the Perfume River
- Cycle around Hoi An's paddy fields and charming streets, and visit the Cham Ruins of My Son
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