Very Vietnam (Partially Guided) - 10 days Tour by On The Go Tours

10 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Hanoi, Vietnam

Ends

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Highlights

Hanoi – Ride on a cyclo rickshaw through the French Quarter and see highlights including the Opera House and Ly Thai To Park

Ho Chi Minh City – Discover the ‘Pearl of the Orient' on a walking tour and visit the sobering War Remnants Museum

Halong Bay – Weave between limestone islets in the UNESCO-Listed bay on a deluxe junk boat and explore beautiful caves

Mekong Delta – Cruise the maze of waterways on a traditional sampan and enjoy lunch in a traditional home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island

Tra Que Village – Cycle through the countryside to Tra Que where you learn how to farm the land and partake in a fun cooking lesson

Hue – Explore the city on a guided tour to visit the iconic seven story Thien Mu Pagoda and the Imperial Purple Palace

Hoi An – Enjoy some R&R in this enchanting riverside town with its cobbled streets, lanterns and iconic Japanese Bridge

My Khe Beach (aka China Beach) - Stroll along this beautiful beach which featured in Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now'

Hue – Explore the city on a guided tour to visit the iconic seven story Thien Mu Pagoda and the Imperial Purple Palace

Hoi An – Enjoy some R&R in this enchanting riverside town with its cobbled streets, lanterns and iconic Japanese Bridge

My Khe Beach (aka China Beach) - Stroll along this beautiful beach which featured in Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now'

Itinerary

Vietnam’s richness unfolds over 10 captivating days on this partially guided tour, perfect for experienced travelers and seniors seeking culture with ease. Begin in Hanoi, where colonial charm and national monuments create an unforgettable backdrop. Cruise the emerald waters of Halong Bay, marveling at its mystical limestone islands, before heading south to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, gateway to the Mekong Delta.

With guided sightseeing and ample free time, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds—immersing in local culture, cuisine, and scenic wonders without rushing. Accommodation, transport, and meals are thoughtfully arranged for a seamless experience.

This trip’s standout feature is its expertly curated balance of structure and independence, allowing you to savor Vietnam’s highlights at your own pace.

day 1 - Hanoi

Welcome to Hanoi. Airport to hotel arrival transfer. The remains of the day offers free time for you to explore Vietnam's charming capital with its wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’s and thriving, historic old city, all easily navigated on foot. At 5pm today there will be a welcome meeting at the hotel.

OverNight:Hanoi

day 2 - Junk boat cruising, Halong Bay

Hanoi – Halong Bay. Transfer to heavenly Halong Bay this morning and board a traditional junk boat for an overnight cruise around the pristine jade waters, studded with karst islands.

The cruise starts with a tasty lunch onboard, as you soak up the incredible views. This afternoon we visit Trinh Nu Cave, one of the finest caves in Halong Bay, covering an area of 2,000m² with a stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites. There's also the opportunity to go kayaking and enjoy a refreshing swim. Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.

Please note: the itinerary in Halong Bay can vary dependent upon the cruise we use and weather conditions. The transfer to/from Halong Bay is with a driver, not a guide.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Halong Bay, Deluxe Junk Boat

day 3 - Hanoi Old Quarter

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage. Before heading back to port this morning, we explore the beautiful Sung Sot cave (Surprise Grotto), which is 10,000m² and consists of two major chambers which are spectacular and spacious enough to hold thousands of people.

From Halong Bay, transfer back to Hanoi, arriving mid-afternoon. In Hanoi meet our local guide for an exhilarating cyclo (rickshaw) ride around the maze of streets in Hanoi's French Quarter, taking in highlights such as the Opera house and Ly Thai To Park. After the cyclo ride we take a leisurely walk around the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’, named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street, from silk tailors to traditional medicine shops.

Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Sleeper train

day 4 - Imperial Hue

Arriving into Hue you will be met off the train and transferred to our hotel. We take in the highlights of Hue on a guided sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital with a local guide. Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, and the citadel. Within the citadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressive ramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, some of which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. As the sun sets there's an optional cruise in a long boat along the gentle Perfume River, beautifully illuminated at night.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Hue

day 5 - Delightful Hoi An

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. This morning we transfer to Hoi An, taking the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificent views of beaches to one side and lush hills to the other. En route a stop is made at China beach, which featured in Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now'. There's time for you to to take a stroll along this beautiful beach and perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea before continuing the journey south to Hoi An, where the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure.

The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors (whose services come at a nominal price), all can be found here.

During your stay in Hoi An, we offer an unique optional Hoi An Street Eats add-on, which explores the city’s most popular local haunts. Cruise the city the way the locals do, by vintage Vespa and enjoy lots of tasty Vietnamese Cuisine. Book early with your reservation consultant, as numbers are limited.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Hoi An

day 6 - Tra Que village

This morning we meet a local guide and set off on a leisurely bike ride through the countryside to Tra Que village (we can arrange alternative transportation at no extra cost for those who don't wish to cycle). Here we discover age old farming practices and learn about traditional medicine. It’s a fun, hands on experience today as we don conical hats and assist with tending the fields and gardens before watching an entertaining cooking demonstration and helping to cook a tasty lunch. After lunch we bid farewell to our hosts at Tra Que and cycle back to Hoi An.

Later this afternoon we take in the highlights of Hoi an on a short walking tour, visiting the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants’ homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Hoi An

day 7 - Hoi An - at leisure

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. You may wish to take a relaxing rowboat journey along the river or spend the day lazing by the beach or hotel pool. Alternatively you can opt to take an excursion to the UNESCO-listed My Son sanctuary or enjoy a day trip to the Ba Na Hills mountain resort, where you will ride the second longest cable car in the world and walk along the striking Golden Bridge (book and pay locally).

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Hoi An

day 8 - Cruising the Mekong

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to Danang Airport for an early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where we meet a local guide and travel on to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views while boating along the canals. Taking a sampan from Cai Be we cruise through the maze of waterways watching the hubbub of daily life on the river. Passing colourful trading boats, house boats and children swimming we stop to visit some of the local cottage industries that produce popcorn, coco candies and paper along the way. Lunch is served today in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Can Tho

day 9 - Mekong & Ho Chi Minh City

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Early today we visit the ever lively Cai Rang floating market before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modern Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swanky bars and spas are scattered between ancient pagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively street markets. On a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City we see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office before visiting the sobering War Remnants Museum.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Ho Chi Minh City

day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City

Today marks the end of our tour and there's an included transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals:1 Breakfast

Very Vietnam (Partially Guided) - 10 days

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What's Included

Accommodation

7 nights 4 star and special class hotels and 1 night aboard deluxe junk boat (private en suite cabin)

Meals

Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 1 dinner

Transport

Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure transfer day 10All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Guide

Tour Style: On this tour you will enjoy sightseeing at all included sights with expert local guides, and all of your travel arrangements are included. You will travel without a tour guide between destinations. If you would prefer to be fully escorted by a single tour guide throughout your trip, please book our fully guided Very Vietnam tour

Others

1 overnight sleeper train Hanoi to Hue in basic 4 berth cabin (or opt to fly - see Add-ons for details)Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cooking demonstrationGuided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh CitySampan boat trips in the Mekong DeltaLocal English speaking specialist guides for all sightseeingHalong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim, kayak and explore cavesEconomy class flight: Danang to Ho Chi Minh City

What's Excluded

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