Overview
Experience the most intriguing highlights of Vietnam during 12 captivating days from the beautiful capital of Hanoi with its rich in culture, the otherworldly landscapes of Halong Bay, the misty town of Sapa to the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City and the picturesque land of Mekong Delta. Discover all the interesting sights, scents and sounds on this tailor- made tour.
Highlights
- Enjoy the best taste of Hanoi cuisine with a fantastic walking street food tour
- Get captivated with the soul-stirring seascapes of Halong Bay on an exceptional overnight cruise
- Uncover the old-world charm of the enchanting Hoian with its fascinating colonial architecture
- Travel back in time with a visit of the impressively massive historical site of Cu Chi Tunnels
Trip Code: VNZA - 1053
Trip Duration: 12 Days
Starting: Hanoi, Vietnam
Finishing: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Destination: Vietnam
Type of trip: Classic
Theme: Nature, Culture
Ages: All ages
Group Size: Less than 20 pax
Itinerary Expand All
Welcome to the capital city of Hanoi – a must-see destination for any trip in Vietnam. Its vibrant atmosphere of bustling streets blended with the ancient beauty of colonial houses has create a very unique Hanoi. Our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel upon arrival and transfer you to the hotel in the heart of Hanoi.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Free day at leisure to relax
This evening, gorge on a walking tour to discover the vibrant streets of Hanoi and its amazing local food like street foodie. Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the meeting point. Walking down the narrow and ancient streets, you will get lost in the world full of street food vendors.
The tour takes us to a famous local restaurant where you can enjoy “Bánh Cuốn” (steamed rice rolls) – a favorite dish of Hanoian which is made from rice flour and filled with the mixture of savory ground pork and ear mushroom. Stop at a traditional space to try a special and famous sweet soup of Hanoi Old Quarter – “Chè” followed by a bowl of Pho – a popular dish that can be found nowhere else better than in Hanoi. Then, keep walking to a local market to see a range of local products and the incredibly bustling local scenes. Grab the chance to enjoy Bun Cha – an absolute highlight of the street food tour. We also savor the real taste of Hanoi with a cup of “Bia Hoi” (Fresh beer) and a very special flavor of “Café Trung” (egg coffee).
After three - hour street tour, transfer back to your hotel for a restful sleep.
Note: A rotating menu from day-to-day is subject to change
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Today, depart for an impressive journey to Halong Bay – the jewel of North Vietnam famous for its thousands of dramatic limestone islands sprinkled around the bay.
Our shuttle bus will take you through the peaceful scenery of rice fields as we travel through the countryside and the lush land of Red River Delta.
At around noon, after a scenic drive, we arrive at the pier. Upon boarding our luxurious cruise, join the crew and the captain with a welcome drink and a cruise briefing.
After settling into your cabin, enjoy a delicious lunch while the ship starts heading out to the bay passing numerous jungle-clad mountains and mysterious caves.
You have plenty of time to swim in the emerald water or climb up to the top for the panoramic view of the bay or kayak around the limestone karsts. Back on board for a cruise to the anchorage spot in a quiet area.
This evening, join your fellow passengers with a fresh cocktail on the sundeck while enjoying the awe-inspiring scenery of the surroundings before having dinner with delicious Vietnamese foods.
After dinner, enjoy your time onboard with a range of interesting activities including playing games, fishing squid or watching movies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On cruise
Start your new day this early morning with a relaxing Tai Chi session onboard to rejuvenate your soul and body in the astonishingly tranquil ambiance.
Enjoy breakfast while the ship makes its way through numerous limestone karsts and caves.
After breakfast, prepare to check out of your cabin. As the ship cruises back to the harbor, take your leisure time to relax on board or simply enjoy the spectacular views passing by.
Brunch will be served onboard on the way back. Upon arrival back in the harbor, transfer by shuttle bus to Hanoi. You arrive in Hanoi at around 17.00 pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Today is a free day for you to explore the city. You have plenty of time to explore the hidden charm of Hanoi on your own pace. Explore the intriguing history and culture with a visit to some famous attractions such as Temple of Literature, Hanoi Complex, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, or simply wander around the vibrant streets lined with colonial-era buildings if that’s your thing.
Room is at your disposal until noontime. If you wish to have a late check out – please feel free to ask us.
In the evening, our driver will transfer you to Hanoi Train Station for an overnight train to Danang (SE3 Hanoi – Danang 19:25 – 11:28 next day).
Settle in your train cabin with soft sleeping bed with air-conditioner and experience the beauty of Vietnam in a very unique way. Traveling by train is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Vietnam along the way and gain a true insight into the local lifestyle as you mingle with friendly locals on the train.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: On Train (sharing 4 berth cabin)
Upon arrival at Danang Train Station, you will be transferred to the hotel in Hoian for check in (30 km – 45 mins drive).
Today, you have free time to explore the old-world charm of Hoian – which was served as the important trading center in the past time. This ancient port town still preserves the culture and architecture from Japan, China and Europe through a row of colonial-era buildings. There is no better way to take in the atmospheric ambiance of the town than enjoying a leisurely walking tour along its cobblestone streets and explore its fantastic cultural heritage. The town is also famous for tailor-made clothing, so you can easily get one within a few hours at any tailor shop.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian
At 8.00am, our guide and driver collect you from the hotel in Hoian for a day trip to My Son Holy Land. The scenic drive takes you through the spectacular views of Hoian rivers, mountains and beautiful islands. Take a photo stop at a fishing village where you can witness the lively local scenes of market traders selling their catch.
We will finally arrive at My Son – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back from the 4th to 15th century, this ancient architectural complex has been regarded as one of the most beautiful and famous temple complexes in Southeast Asia.
After a traditional dance performance, start your tour to the Cham ruins with a short walk along a jungle bordered path. During the exploration, our guide will explain the long-lasting history of this religious site.
At mid-noon, head back to Hoian for a romantic boat trip on Thu Bon River. During 2-hour boat ride, you will get a glimpse of different traditional villages including Duy Hai village, Tra Nhieu weaving village, Kim Bong carpentry village and Cam Thanh coconut village.
After the boat ride, get back to your hotel to relax. The balance of the day is free at your leisure
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian
Today is free for you to explore this ancient town on your own way. Enjoy a walking tour along the old streets to explore its timeless history, culture and local charm or hop on a bike to get around the town with stops en-route to visit the ancient temples and pagodas, get a beautiful handmade lantern or savor a cup of coffee on Thu Bon riverside.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian
Enjoy the last day exploring the charming town: walk around the town, explore ancient houses and architecture, take photos of fascinating architecture. Free at leisure until being transferred to Danang airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport, our driver will meet and transfer you to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh to check in.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Today is free for you to explore the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh on your own. There are lots of things to do in town: savoring delicious street foods, shopping at sprawling shopping centers or exploring the local life around the town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
At 8.30 in the morning, our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel for an excursion of Cu Chi Tunnels- a must-see destination for any trip in South Vietnam. It is an incredibly massive underground system served as the shelter for Vietnamese soldiers during war time.
Take a sneak-peek experience to learn more about the facilities, the harsh condition of Viet Cong.
After the exploration, head back to Ho Chi Minh City.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Enjoy the last day in this vibrant city with anything that takes your fancy until being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Useful Information
Inclusions
- Accommodation in a double/twin share with daily breakfast
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by air-conditioned vehicle
- The soft berth in sharing overnight cabin (04 soft berths in 01 cabin) for the train Hanoi – Danang
- Halong Bay Overnight Cruise package as mentioned in the itinerary
- Local English speaking guides
- 01 bottle of water/person/day tour
- Visa approval letter for Vietnam
- Meals where mentioned (B: Breakfast; L: lunch; D: dinner)
- Entrance fees
- Domestic flight in Economy class of Vietjet Air as mentioned in the itinerary: Danang – Ho Chi Minh
Vietjet Air is an Economy Airlines of Vietnam; it may be delayed hours. If you would like to upgrade, we highly recommend you use Vietnam Airlines with surcharge 30 USD/person /domestic ticket.
Exclusions
- International flight ticket
- Vietnam visa fee at 25 USD per person
- Single supplement surcharge
- Other meals than mentioned
- Other services than mentioned
- Drinks, other than water on activity days
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
- Travel insurance
Meals
- Breakfast: 10
- Lunch: 2
- Brunch: 1
- Dinner: 2
Transport
- Car
- Shuttle bus
- Boat
- Plane
- Train
Included Activities
- Street food walking tour in Hanoi
- Overnight cruise in Halong Bay
- Day trip to My Son
- Boat trip on Thu Bon River
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day tour
Accommodations
Best price, strategic locations, carefully-checked.
Destination | 3 Star | 4 Star | 5 Star |
Sai Gon |
Park View Saigon |
||
Hoian |
Le Pavillon Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa |
||
Halong Bay |
Renea Cruises Halong |
||
Ha Noi |
La Dolce Vita Hotel |
Special Note:
Blackout date: 20 Dec 2019 – 10 Jan 2020, 23 Jan – 27 Jan 2020
We only accept the payment by USD, the RAND rate may be changed at the time you book following the exchange rate at https://www.xe.com
f you travel alone, please add the single supplement + 161 USD/pax = 3392 R/ pax (you still have sharing cabin on night train)
Our price is guaranteed with NO HIDDEN COST.
When you arrive in Vietnam, you only need to pay for your personal expense and Visa fees which will be estimated as below:
Personal expense |
Cost per person |
Vietnam Visa Stamp Fee |
25USD |
Lunch/ dinner with local foods on the streets or local stall |
3-5USD |
Lunch/ dinner at good local restaurants |
8-12USD |
Tips for local guide and driver |
1-3USD/ person/ day |
Please kindly note that the excursions included in this tour are not compulsory to join. You, perhaps, don’t want to take it at some point. In this case, please let your operator know and note that we are not able to provide any refunds.
Cancellation by Customer
Should you need to cancel your holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing sent to us via fax or email. The following cancellation charges will be applied:
- More than 21 days prior to departure: The total of the deposit paid to us (30% of the Tour value).
- 7- 21 days prior to departure: 50% on the total value of the trip charged, due to hotel charges for no-shows and organizing fees.
- Within 1-6 days prior to departure: 100% on total charged.
- No-Show: 100% on total charged.
Note: Insurance premiums and amendment charges are not refundable in the event of cancellation.
Cancellation of domestic or international flights:
If the cancellation occurs after a deposit was paid to the Airlines, cancellation fees, of 25 – 40 % of the airfare for the domestic flight and USD30 – 50/pax for the international flight, is required (according to the policy of the Airlines).
Unused services:
No refunds or exchanges can be made with respect to accommodation, meals, sightseeing tours, transport or any other services, included in the tour price, but not utilized by the tour members.
Children Policy
For children, please note:
- Children under 2 years old: Free of charge (maximum 2 adults with 1 child under 2 years old)
- Children from 2 to 5 years old: 50% price of adults
- Children from 5 to 11 years old: 75% price of adults
- Children from 12 years old: as adult
Reviews
Reviews from actual Seni travelers. We publish all reviews.
Based on 65 reviews. See some of the reviews here.
Mukesh Harisunker
Guest Country: South Africa
Travel Dates: November 2019
Traveled To: Vietnam
This was the best trip ever organized by this tour group.Although our visas and Immigration took over 3 hours and our flight number being changed and a delay from our flight,we were met with smiling faces about 4 hours later which was wonderful and thereafter they were always on time always, all this preparations was done via WhatsApp.Although their payment was 30% deposit and balance 70% before daparture, I paid everything not knowing them and did not have any problems whatsoever. VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDABLE. THANK YOU, MUKESH HARISUNKER,SOUTH AFRICA
Rondlopertjend
Guest Country: Montagu, South Africa
Travel Dates: October 2019
Traveled To: Vietnam
Vietnam completely blew us away - one of our best experiences ever! From the bustling of the Old Quarters in Hanoi in the north, thru beautiful Hoian with its thousand colorful lanterns in Center, down to Ho Chi Minh with the tunnels and Mekong river, this has just been one of the most scenic, most exquisite tours. The natural beauty of Halong Bay took our breaths away and it's one of the places we will definitely return to in future. Thank you so much to Trung Hoang who made this tour extra special - your assistance and guidance will hard to top! You were the best!!!
Rosh & Betti
Guest Country: Durban, South Africa
Travel Dates: October 2019
Traveled To: Vietnam
Vietnam tours have been awesome, especially Ashley Trang, the agent assigned to us. After finding this tour company on Facebook and making contact with them, Ashley immediately responded to my query. She worked tirelessly and efficiently to make sure that she catered to our every need and requirement. With her advice and expertise we here able to put together an itinerary, that has allowed us to have the best experience of this beautiful country, people,food and sights.
Our trip went without hitches from being transferred to airports and awesome hotels, organised private tours with knowledgeable English speaking tour guides and plenty free time with the best advice to explore at our leasure.
Ashley paid us a personal visit at our hotel in Hanoi, a gesture beyond her scope of duty. We have left Vietnam with very pleasant memories and will definitely recommend Vietnam Tours to family and friends.
Lauren B
Guest Country: Johannesburg, South Africa
Travel Dates: October 2019
Traveled To: Vietnam
I booked my tour and from the moment of first contact Trung was amazing. He put together a bespoke tour for us that included everything we wanted to see (Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An). The hotels were great, perfectly located and all the staff were incredibly helpful and went out of their way to make our stay memorable. The day tours and experiences were exactly what we were looking for and far exceeded our expectations. It truly was an amazing tour we will never forget.
Not only is the first tour operator in Vietnam focusing only on travelers from South Africa but Vietnamtour.co.za also has been receiving a lot of positive reviews on TripAdvisor. Moreover, we also have a representative in South Africa - Mrs. Katrine Putick. You can contact her to book and confirm your tour to Vietnam right in South Africa.
Ms. KATRINE PUTTICK
- Address: Bay Farm, Main Rd, Hout Bay Cape Province, Cape Town, South Africa
- Phone: (+27 (83) 261 1693)
- Email: kputtick@iafrica.com
Tipping is not customary in Vietnam but it's highly appreciated. Most the high-end services include a service fee but if you receive a service that exceeded your expectation, then a tip is highly recommended. Normally, you should tip at least 1-3 USD/pax/day for your guide and driver.
Vietnam's weather is tropical climate with high humidity creating a favorable condition for many insects especially mosquitoes. Whenever you head outside especially in mountainous areas, be sure to apply repellent to all areas of exposed skin.
Depending on individual hotels, most of the hotels in Vietnam are equipped with all necessary amenities such as hair dryers, private bathroom, safety box, shampoo, body lotion and more. If you're not sure about the quality of these kinds of stuff, you can bring your own or buy outside.
You can easily find an ATM at any major cities across the country. Though, it's hard to find one in local areas, so make sure you prepare enough money for a journey out of the city. Do not keep too much money along you to avoid the risk of theft.