Looking for the ultimate Vietnam tour? This 12-day itinerary takes you through the vibrant cities of Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Hanoi, and the stunning Halong Bay, offering a perfect blend of action and cultural highlights. Imagine cruising through the Mekong Delta's picturesque rice fields on a traditional boat, exploring bustling floating markets and charming local fruit farms. Along the way, you'll visit iconic landmarks and savor authentic flavors at popular foodie spots, creating a truly unforgettable Vietnam travel experience.
Includes
12 Day Contiki Guided Holiday
11 Nights Accommodation: 8 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Special Stays, 1 night in Overnight Train
11 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Transport by private coach, internal flights and junk boat
Experienced Trip Manager and Local Guides
Optional free time add on experiences (additional costs apply)
Included Experiences
Crawl through Củ Chi Tunnels
Stay on a Junk Boat and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
You have to be between the age of 18 and 35 years old to travel with Contiki
Additional costs apply for optional free time add on experiences
Secure your spot today with a deposit from as low as R1000* and pay the rest 60 days before departure
Highlights
11 Night Contiki Tour
17 Meals
Included experiences and sightseeing
Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia's most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. You'll meet your travel comrades and have a free evening to explore. Oh yes, this is the right way to get your Vietnam trip started.
Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong River Delta
Ho Chi Minh City
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam.
Mekong River Delta
Our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river's fringes can vary. We'll see floating markets, visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam's famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local homestay.
Accommodation: Bay Thoi Homestay (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City
Mekong River Delta
After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam's staggering past.
Ho Chi Minh City
Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam's biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam's culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).
Accommodation: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Nha Trang To Nha Trang
Ho Chi Minh City
With some traditional R'n'R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We'll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea.
Nha Trang
Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life - this is Nha Trang. This afternoon why not book in for a mineral mud bath and hot thermal spring experience before heading out to dinner with your crew. Ah, the good life.
Accommodation: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Overnight Train to Hoi An
Nha Trang
Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience.
Overnight Train to Hoi An
Tonight, we'll head north via our comfy overnight train - where you'll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.
Accommodation: Le Pavillon Paradise Hoi An Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Hoi'An
Overnight Train to Hoi An
Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, you'll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.
Hoi An
With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
Accommodation: Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Hoi An
Hoi An
Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.
Accommodation: Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Hoi An to Hanoi via Da Nang
Hoi An
Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang…
Da Nang
Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town.
Hanoi
Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens! We bet you’re starving from all that travel. That’s why we’ll head straight to the KOTO restaurant - a unique dining experience that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. And with our tummies happy and full, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature (AKA Vietnam’s first-ever university.) But the sight-seeing doesn’t end there. It’s time to make our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to a Vietnamese revolutionary leader. In the evening, you’re free to explore the capital however you like.A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.
Accommodation: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Hanoi
Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam's show-stopping natural beauty.
Ninh Binh
Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnam’s legendary army jeep and let’s get going. Spend the day cherishing the crisp air and greenery. And if you love bird-watching, make sure to have your binoculars ready at all times.
Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
Ninh Binh
Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one).
Halong Bay
A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wow's', but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.
Accommodation: Junk Boat (Special Stay)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Halong Bay To Hanoi
Halong Bay
Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don't get much better than this.
Hanoi
After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.
Accommodation: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Hanoi
Hanoi
Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out & make plans to reunite sometimes soon - Latin America perhaps?
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share/multi share as per itinerary, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Offer can be removed at any time. Pricing varies pending departure date. Trips valid for travellers aged 18-35 years. Excludes flights. Only R1000 deposit per person is required to confirm your trip booking. Deposit is due within 3 days of booking; airlines may impose different penalties and cancellation fees. Payment due in full 60 days before departure. All savings / discounts mentioned has already been included in advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
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