Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi & Halong Bay
Vibrant colors, incredibly lively architecture, and countless immersive cultural experiences await you in the Asian country of Vietnam. On our 10-day guided tour through Vietnam, we’ll become one with this fascinating destination as we visit Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Halong Bay. We’ll explore several captivating sites, including the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Ben Thanh Market, and more. We’ll walk through the “Ancient Town” in Hoi An, and you can even try noodle making at the Streets Culinary Center! Spend the remainder of the tour exploring in comfort as we cruise along Halong Bay and see the magnificent Sung Sot Cave.
Extend Your Trip! Enjoy our Vietnam & Angkor Wat tour visiting Vietnam’s highlights and the Angkor Conservation Complex in Cambodia including the crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat.
Itinerary at a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 3 nights Ho Chi Minh City
- 2 nights Hoi An
- 2 nights Hanoi
- 1 night Cruise Halong Bay
- 1 night Hanoi
Tour Highlights
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cu Chi Agricultural Farm visit and lunch
- Ho Chi Minh City Tour
- Cyclo Ride through ancient Hoi An
- Japanese Covered Bridge
- Streets Culinary Center Visit
- Cruise on Halong Bay (UNESCO World heritage Site)
- Enchanting Hanoi City Tour
- Temple of Literature (Hanoi)
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- All intra-tour flights and transfers
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned motorcoach
- Accommodations at deluxe and first class hotels
- 1-night cruise on Halong Bay
- 16 meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
- Experienced, English-speaking Tour Director
Passengers who purchase flights will depart 2 days before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.
Note: Flights are not available on departures.
You must book your own flights to the tour destination and you are responsible for making your own way to the tour starting point, where you will meet your Tour Director. This is normally the first hotel in your itinerary.
You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as—and often still called—Saigon. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. This evening our tour director hosts a welcome dinner and orientation.
Accommodations: Eden Star Saigon Hotel or Paragon Saigon Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner
This morning we'll venture outside city limits to see one of the remnants of the Vietnam War, the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. Connected to a larger network, these tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers both to hide and transport communications and supplies. Next, we'll visit an agricultural organic farm where the chef's goal is to educate others about healthy foods. We'll learn more about the ingredients here, how to prepare them, and of course, enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, we'll return to Ho Chi Minh City to explore this vibrant city's highlights including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the former US Embassy.
Accommodations: Eden Star Saigon Hotel or Paragon Saigon Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is free to explore Ho Chi Minh City at our own pace or to relax and enjoy our hotel's amenities. We might also consider an optional excursion to the Mekong Delta to Cai Be's floating markets, a local temple, and a chance to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine!
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we'll board our flight to Danang where we'll explore the Cham Museum. This museum is home to an exquisite collection of carvings and sculptures made from a variety of materials including sandstone. The sculptures we can see here date as far back as the 5th century and depict deities, mythical animals, and more. Afterward, we'll visit China Beach, which was the wartime R&R resort for the American military. Later, we'll arrive in Hoi An, one of Vietnam's most enchanting towns. This port city is known as a melting pot and we'll see evidence of this in the town's architecture. This evening we might consider an optional street food tour.
Accommodations: Mulberry Collection Silk Village or similar
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, we'll take a cyclo ride and walking tour through Hoi An's "Ancient Town"! We'll visit the Japanese Covered Bridge which links the town with the Chinese quarters. We'll also see Sa Huynh Museum, home to exhibitions from Hoi An's earliest history; wander the Tran Family Chapel, a 200-year-old house built for worshipping ancestors; and Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, a Chinese pagoda dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen. This afternoon, we'll visit the Streets Culinary Center where trainees introduce us to Vietnam's rich noodle culture. We'll learn about the different types of noodles, how to make them, and then give it a go ourselves! Afterward, we'll savor a dinner featuring Mi Quang, a special noodle dish from Central Vietnam.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we'll return to Danang where we'll catch our afternoon flight to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city whose rich culture and history are tied to French colonialism and Chinese influence as we'll see in the city's architecture, cuisine, and culture. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our Hanoi hotel where we'll check in and enjoy some time to relax.
Accommodations: Peridot Grand Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Today's highlights include a view of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the Vietnamese revolutionary leader is interred; the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple; and the Temple of Literature, a temple dedicated to Confucius. We'll visit Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed "Hanoi Hilton" by American prisoners of war, before proceeding to the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake followed by a guided walk through the narrow lanes of the historic old quarter. Lunch is at KOTO, a non-profit social enterprise empowering at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam through the community project's holistic hospitality training program. This evening, we'll enjoy a distinctly Vietnamese traditional art form—a thrilling Water Puppet show!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we'll depart for Halong City with a refreshment break en route. On arrival, we'll embark on our overnight cruise to the far corners of Halong Bay. Halong Bay is widely considered to be Vietnam's most spectacular natural attraction. It comprises over three thousand small jagged limestone islands rising out of the South China Sea and these dramatic formations are the backdrop of your idyllic cruise. Enjoy lunch on board as we cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities. As our day comes to an end, watch the sunset over the bay from the deck, followed by a freshly prepared dinner before retiring for the evening.
Accommodations: Bhaya Classic Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Those of us that wish to participate can take a refreshing Tai Chi lesson as the sun rises over the bay. This beautiful art is said to rejuvenate the body and spirit, and when practiced regularly, can help treat a number of ailments. Later, we'll visit Sung Sot Cave. Astonished by the cave's size, the French nicknamed it "Surprise Grotto" and it's considered one of the most beautiful caves on Halong Bay. We'll enjoy the eye-catching rock formations enhanced with colorful lights before we return to our ship for brunch. Our cruise comes to an end as we disembark at the pier and return to Hanoi where we'll enjoy dinner.
Accommodations: Peridot Grand Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
Meals: Breakfast
Explore our Really Good Sale with up to 25% off! See the savings!
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Full payment is due days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Featured Accommodations
Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, just minutes from Ben Thanh Market, the Eden Star Saigon Hotel has 128 guest rooms and features a spa and fitness center with an outdoor swimming pool and bar with views of the city.
38 Bui Thi Xuan, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Website | TripAdvisor Reviews
Located just minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral and the City Opera House, this hotel is in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and has 159 spacious rooms and amenities including a fitness center, rooftop pool, and sun deck.
22-24 Thi Sach Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Website
Located in Hoi An, the tropical center of Vietnam, the Hoi An Silk Village Resort & Spa has 131 guest rooms and features a spa, fitness center, swimming pool, and tropical garden.
41-43 Pham Van Dong, Hoi An, Vietnam
Website
With views of West Lake, Truc Bach Lake and the Red River, this hotel is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Pan Pacific Hanoi has 270 guest rooms and features a fitness center, spa, and an indoor pool.
1 Thanh Nien Road Ba Dinh District 10000 Hanoi Vietnam
Website
Sailing the picturesque Halong Bay, the Bhaya Classic offers comfortable accommodations with contemporary Asian decor and features a bar, restaurant, and sun deck. While aboard, we'll see some of Halong Bay's highlights and enjoy the opportunity to try Tai Chi on the sundeck, go kayaking on the bay's serene waters, or try swimming.
No 9 Ngoc Chau Harbour, Tuan Chau Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
Website | TripAdvisor Reviews
Optional Tours
Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Day 3 Full Day Tour
Explore the delta town of Cai Be, known for its rustic floating communities. En route, we'll visit a Cao Dai temple, a religion that blends Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and a bit of Christianity. In Cai Be, we'll navigate the maze of canals by boat and cycle through the village seeing the floating market, and meeting local families that make rice paper, thatch roofs with coconut leaves, and weave hyacinth products. We'll enjoy the Mekong scenery on our sampan ride before a late lunch where we'll see how to make banh xeo, a savory pancake!
Note: This tour includes cyling for approx. 30 minutes. The order of activities may change based on weather.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 4 Evening Tour
Set off on a culinary adventure to discover the flavors that make Hoi An unique. First, we'll sample white rose dumplings with a chance to try making a few of our own! We'll visit a 250-year-old home to see how the locals live, learn about our host's life, and visit his workshop where he creates silver jewelry. Our tour continues with another delicious specialty—banh can. These crackers are served with quail eggs, pork, and a tasty salad and are a street food favorite or as an alternative, enjoy a delicious banh mi or "Vietnamese baguette." We'll sample grilled pork satay, visit the central market along the way, and taste Cao Lau noodles or the equally popular chicken rice. Our tour concludes with a Vietnamese coffee, the perfect ending to any meal.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 2
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature light hiking, and/or stairs on some hilly and/or uneven terrain. Learn More
Pacing Level: Moderate
Expect full-day tours most days with some limited free time at specific sites, for meals, and/or in the evenings. You can expect several early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 2+ nights (with limited 1-night stays). Learn More
Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. There are entry requirements for U.S. passport holders. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.