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Classic Vietnam: Hanoi to the Mekong

5.0Based on
12 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
16 peopleMaximum group size
12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Moderate
Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Highlights

Sail on a junk boat through Halong Bay.

shop in romantic Hoi An.

squeeze through the Cu Chi tunnels.

experience local living in the Mekong River Delta.

visit floating markets.

Itinerary

Discover the magic of Vietnam on this 12-day adventure packed with culture, cuisine, and connection. Begin with a serene sail on a traditional junk boat through Halong Bay’s limestone karsts, then head south to explore the vibrant streets of Hue and the charm of Hoi An. Roll up your sleeves and craft your own noodles alongside expert hosts at a local social enterprise. Continue to the bustling energy of Saigon and delve into the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta, where you’ll spend two unforgettable nights at a community guesthouse, learning from your welcoming local hosts and exploring the delta by boat and on foot. With plenty of adventure and just the right amount of downtime, this trip will leave you inspired and recharged.

day 1 - Hanoi

Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities today until an evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt for dinner out with the group.

Accomodation:Chalcedony Hotel (or similar)
Included Activity:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr
Optional Activities: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 Tour 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. , Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance

day 2 - Hanoi/Ha Long

Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner.
Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.

In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Ha Long Bay Overnight Boat (or similar)
Transport:Shared Van Duration : 4.0 hr, Junk Boat
Included Activity:Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Optional Activities:Kayaking Transfer from boat to kayak in this guided water tour, giving you the chance to get even closer to the stunning natural surroundings.

day 3 - Ha Long/Huế

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.
Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr, Overnight Train (beds) Duration : 13.0 hr - 14.0 hr
Optional Activities: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.

day 4 - Huế

Pull into Hue early in the morning and dive right into the city, starting with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day, you are free to explore the city how you'd like.
Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.

While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.

Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Accomodation:Asia Hotel (or similar)
Included Activities:Thien Mu Pagoda Visit, Imperial Citadel Tour, Royal Tombs Visit
Optional Activities:Hue Motorbike Tour None

day 5 - Huế/Hoi An

Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins.
Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.

With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Uptown Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr

day 6 - Hoi An

Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch
Accomodation:Uptown Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Optional Activities:Bike Rental Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore. , 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. , Thu Bon River Boat Trip The 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., Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour , Mỹ Sơn Excursion

day 7 - Hoi An

Spend a free Day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Uptown Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Optional Activities:Thu Bon River Boat Trip The 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 , Hoi An Cooking Class

day 8 - Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic and amazing city.
Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Amory Hotel (or similar)
Transport:Plane Duration : 1.5 hr

day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City.
With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Amory Hotel (or similar)
Included Activity:Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour
Optional Activities: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. , Thien Hau Pagoda Visit Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, a beautiful temple in the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Learn more about the customs associated with this 19th-century monument – it is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau (the 'Lady of the Sea') who is worshipped in Chinese communities throughout Asia by those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods. , Dam Sen Water Park Visit Get 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., Giac Vien Pagoda Visit Find this hidden pagoda behind some small alleyways – it’s a rare treat of a monument that has been spared the over-restoration that has been done to so many temples. Tour the inside of this 18th-century pagoda to see nearly 100 carvings of divine beings. , Reunification Palace Visit Wander 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 Visit 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.

day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City/Mekong River

Travel to the beautiful Mekong River Delta, south of Ho Chi Minh City, and experience the local way of living. Visit two of the main regions of the Delta, Ben Tre and Cai Thia. Cruise through the river in a traditional sampan boat, bike along the waterways and spend time with the family at your local guesthouse preparing a dinner of spring rolls and Banh Xeo before a lantern lit evening performance by the local villagers.

Meal:Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Ut Trinh Homestay (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle
Included Activities:Ben Tre Mekong River Visit, Cai Thia Mekong River Visit

day 11 - Mekong River

Depart your homestay after breakfast and visit the community riverside market. From there, board a boat to arrive to the Pottery Brick Village, known as the Red Kingdom, and explore by bicycle. Then drive to the last region we'll visit on the Mekong Delta called Can Tho. Enjoy a free afternoon at leisure to explore the area. Opt to do some bird watching or visit the local town.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation:Mekong Silt Ecolodge (or similar)
Included Activity:Pottery Brick Village Cycle

day 12 - Mekong River/Ho Chi Minh City

Wake up to watch the sun rise over one of the most unique parts of life on the Mekong River, Cai Rang Floating Market. Explore by land and boat before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Your tour finishes upon arrival to the city.

Meal:Breakfast
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr
Included Activity:Cai Rang Floating Market
Classic Vietnam: Hanoi to the Mekong

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What's Included

Accommodation
Hotels (7 nts), sleeper train (1 nt), local guesthouse (2 nts).
Meals
9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Note: Allow USD100-130 for meals not included.
Transport
Train, air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, cycling, walking, All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Guide
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Included activities
Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi AnYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Discover Moment: Hoi AnYour Local Living Moment: Cai Thia Mekong River Visit, Mekong DeltaFree time in HanoiHalong Bay caves entranceHalong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinnerThien Mu Pagoda VisitImperial Citadel and Royal TombsFree time in Hoi AnOodles of Noodles experienceCu Chi Tunnels guided tourFree time in Ho Chi Minh CityBen Tre Mekong River cycleCai Thia rice paper and cooking demonstrationPottery Brick Village cycleFree time in Mekong River DeltaCai Rang Floating MarketInternal flight

What's Excluded

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