A Taste of Vietnam
Bustling Ho Chi Minh City, picturesque colonial Hoi An, world-heritage Halong Bay & the northern capital of Hanoi; optional extension to Bangkok
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 24 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture, Bucket List | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, locally hosted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
Get updates about this package
If you've put off a trip to Vietnam because of time or price, then our A Taste of Vietnam tour package is for you. See for yourself why Vietnam has emerged as Asia's hottest new destination for Western travelers. Our 10-day escorted tour takes you to Vietnam's two most important cities—Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi, as well as picturesque Hoi An and Halong Bay. Explore on your own or on exciting optional tours to the Cu Chi Tunnels, My Son and more! You'll enjoy superior accommodations, bountiful daily breakfasts, included sightseeing tours in each city, discounted optional tours, and as always, the very best in Friendly Planet service. Of course, all of this is yours at prices that are downright amazing!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from Los Angeles (LAX) including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
- All intra-Asia flights and ground transportation
- 7 nights superior class hotels with private bath
- 11 Meals: 7 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners, including a welcome dinner
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking tour directors and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Exciting excursions in Ho Chi Minh City including Cu Chi Tunnels or a vintage Vespa ride; in Hoi An including My Son; in Hanoi including Authentic Life in Hanoi
- Post-tour extension to Bangkok
Why you'll love it
- Tour Ho Chi Minh City’s must-see sights, including Reunification Hall and Saigon Post Office.
- Savor a special dinner prepared by youth studying the culinary arts at STREETS International.
- Sink your toes into the white sands of China Beach.
- Set sail on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay.
- Attend a water puppet show performed by the artists of Yen Duc Village.
- Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Hanoi that includes the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 En route
- 3 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
- 4 Ho Chi Minh City
- Optional Excursion: A Day in Ben Tre with lunch , $80
- Optional Excursion: Saigon Nightlife by Vespa (purchased locally) , $125
- 5 Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang & Hoi An.
- Optional Excursion: Cu Chi Tunnels , $55
- 6 Hoi An
- Optional Excursion: Hoi An walking tour (purchased locally) , $35
- Optional Excursion: My Son & Phuoc Kieu Village , $55
- 7 Hoi An & Halong Bay
- 8 Halong Bay & Hanoi
- 9 Hanoi
- Optional Excursion: Authentic Life in Hanoi , $42
- 10 Depart Hanoi/Arrive USA
Videos
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Check-in for your overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam via Taipei, Taiwan
Day 2 En route
- Cross the International Dateline and lose a day. (You will recover this day on the return leg of your trip.)
Day 3 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
- Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to your hotel for check-in
- This afternoon, explore Ho Chi Minh City on an included city tour
- Begin at Reunification Hall, formerly the Presidential Palace
- Visit the ornate French colonial Saigon Post Office
- Get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner
Grand Hotel Saigon or similarDinner
Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City
- Full day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City or optional excursions
Grand Hotel Saigon or similarBreakfast
Day 5 Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang & Hoi An.
- Enjoy the morning at leisure or take an optional excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang
- Continue to Hoi An and check into your hotel, balance of the day at leisure
- Join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant
Hoi An Historic or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 7 Hoi An & Halong Bay
- Transfer to airport for your flight followed by touring coach transfer to Halong Bay
- En route to the airport visit China Beach
- After a short flight, board your touring coach and transfer to lunch
- Continue through the Red River Delta to your hotel in Halong Bay for check-in
- The balance of the day is at leisure
Novotel Halong Bay or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 8 Halong Bay & Hanoi
- Set sail on a 5-hour cruise on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay
- This afternoon, return to Halong Harbor then transfer to Hanoi
- En route, visit the Yen Duc Village for a glimpse of local life and traditions
- Enjoy a water puppet show by the Yen Duc Village artists
- Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be escorted to your hotel for check-in
Silk Path Hotel or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 9 Hanoi
- Enjoy a half day morning tour of Hanoi
- See Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda
- Continue on to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university
- Conclude your tour with a visit to Hoa Lo Prison
- Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or take part in an optional excursion
Silk Path Hotel or similarBreakfast
Day 10 Depart Hanoi/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to the USA, via Taipei, Taiwan
- If your schedule permits, take advantage of an optional extension to Bangkok, Thailand
Breakfast
Bangkok Independent Optional Extension
Why not take advantage of your already included international airfare and add three days in exotic Bangkok, bustling capital of Thailand? Your extension includes airfare from Hanoi to Bangkok, three nights at a deluxe hotel, half day city tour, full buffet breakfast daily, and all group transfers!
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 10 Depart Hanoi/Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
- Transfer to the airport to board your short flight to Bangkok, bustling capital of Thailand
- Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to your deluxe, centrally located hotel
- The rest of the day is yours at leisure
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 11 Bangkok
- Half day Bangkok sightseeing tour
- Afternoon at leisure
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 13 Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA via Taipei, Taiwan
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Reviews & Photos
We love hearing your stories and seeing your photos! Here are some moments other travelers captured on this package. Or check out our entire fan photo gallery.
No reviews yet! Check back soon to see what our travelers are saying.
Traveled with us, but haven't received an invitation to review your trip? Contact us at reviews@friendlyplanet.com.
Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Thailand?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Vietnam?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
Other Packages
The humming capital of Bangkok, historic Kanchanaburi & the River Kwai, plus ancient Ayutthaya; optional extensions to Angkor Wat & Phuket
From
$2249W/ Flights
From
$1449Tour Only
Days
Bustling Bangkok, historic Kanchanaburi & ancient Ayutthaya, then explore the wild north in Chiang Rai & the Buddhist temples of Chiang Mai; optional extensions to Angkor Wat & Phuket
From
$3699W/ Flights
From
$2799Tour Only
Days
Wild & wonderful Hanoi, world-heritage Halong Bay, alluring Hue & historic Ho Chi Minh; plus Phnom Penh & the breathtaking temples of Angkor Wat; optional extension to Bangkok
From
$4999W/ Flights
From
$4199Tour Only
Days
Experience the sights, history & culture of four incredible countries: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia, plus a deluxe overnight Halong Bay cruise
From
$6249W/ Flights
From
$5349Tour Only
Days
Discover the history, culture & cuisine of Singapore & Bangkok; futuristic cities blend with garden landscapes; ancient temples & remarkable buddhas; optional extension to Phuket Island
From
$3099W/ Flights
Days
