Discover Vietnam by train and get a completely different perspective of this captivating country. Beginning your adventure in the South and Vietnam’s upbeat former capital of Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh. Enjoy this bustling ever-changing youthful city with its amazing markets and neon nightlife before you head for the traditional experience of the Mekong Delta. A full-day tour takes you through stilted houses, floating morning markets and rural countryside as you explore this interesting region by boat.
Back in Ho Chi Minh Saigon you will get to see another side of this country by learning about its recent past at the Cu Chi tunnels before travelling north by train. Your sleeper train takes you to the seaside town of Nha Trang, where you have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters and stunning white sandy beaches. After a few days of relaxation on the coast or enjoying some interesting day tours you then continue by train to Hue. Once in Hue, you get to discover the city on a full day city tour of this ancient capital before again heading to Hanoi via train.
After getting acquainted with Vietnam’s capital city on a city and countryside tour, your journey continues east to the UNESCO heritage site of Halong Bay. Once here you board a traditional junk boat and take an overnight cruise through the thousands of sharp limestone islets, where you can explore small hidden coves, impressive caves with glittering stalactites as well as floating communities that can be discovered by sea kayak.
Your trip then ends back in Vietnam’s sophisticated capital of Hanoi. The city can be explored on foot or via a traditional cyclo ride, where you can discover many interesting and some diverse sites that Hanoi keeps secret. Enjoy an extraordinary water puppet performance in one of Hanoi’s theatres or take some time out to sip a glass of ice-cold coffee in one of the cafes next to Hoan Kiem Lake, or marvel at some wonderful examples of French colonial architecture and take a stroll down the tree-lined boulevards on the way to exploring the city’s old and French quarter with its extensive markets, art galleries, eateries and coffee shops. This surely is the perfect end to any getaway holiday to Vietnam.
Highlights
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Ho Chi Minh City Tour
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Chu Chi Tunnels
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The Mekong Delta & the Floating Market of Cai Rang
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Local Villages of Vunh Long and An Binh Islet
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Train Ride to Nha Trang
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Nha Trang Beach Relaxation
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Train Ride to Hue
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Coutryside Bike and Food Tour
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Hue Half Day City Tour & Thien My Pagoda
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Train Ride to Hanoi
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Hanoi City Tour
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Cyclo Tour of the Old French Quarter
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Ha Long Bay Cruise
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Sung Sot Cave & Thay Pagoda
We are here to make your dream holiday a reality.
Our travel experts live and breath Asia all year long making them the perfect fit to plan your holiday.
Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat Airport you are welcomed by a ‘See Asia Differently’ representative and transferred to your hotel. You will then be free to relax and settle in for the remainder of the day.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Meals: _/_/_)
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels & Half Day City Cyclo Tour
This morning you will venture out to the Cu Chi tunnels; a vast tunnel complex that was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It also served as a home for the guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. After lunch, you return to Saigon for a city tour that takes you to various historic sites around the city for you to get an insight into the history and culture of Vietnam.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 3
Mekong Delta
HCMC to Cai Be & Vinh Long
This morning you will rise early and travel to the floating market of Cai Rang, which is the biggest floating market of the entire Mekong Delta. Every day, hundreds of boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other products anchor along the banks of the river, waiting for traders and customers. After lunch you continue to Vinh Long and An Binh islet to observe how local people make ceramics, popcorn and rice paper.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Meals: B/L/_)
Day 4
Train
Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang | Train: 7.5 hours
Today you will have a different travelling experience as we take you to Ho Chi Minh’s railway station, where you will board a train all the way to Nha Trang. The 7.5-hour scenic train ride will take you through some fascinating countryside giving you a completely different view of the country. Once you arrive in the seaside city of Nha Trang you will be picked up and taken to your beachside hotel.
Overnight in Nha Trang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 5-7
Nha Trang
Free Days
You’ll spend the next 3 days at your own leisure in the seaside town of Nha Trang. There are many things to do apart from lazing around on the beach. We recommend you take a walk along the beautiful promenade, go to Bai Duong Beach and, perhaps, venture out to the Ba Ho Waterfalls and visit the Lang Son Pagoda.
Overnight in Nha Trang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 8
Train
Nha Trang to Hue | Train: 12 hours
After breakfast you are free to enjoy the morning as you wish before boarding another local train after lunch and travelling overnight to the city of Hue. Hue is a romantic and peaceful city in the heart of Vietnam and will be your base for the next two days.
Overnight on train (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 9
Hue
Countryside Biking & Food Tour
Shortly after arriving in Hue, you’ll check in to your hotel and then set out to explore Hue’s scenic countryside on bikes. You’ll stop at various small villages and learn about life in the suburbs as well as getting to help local villagers in their day-to-day tasks. You will also pause at the Thien Mu Pagoda, which dates back to 1601. Later in the day you will be treated to a food tour of the city and try some of Hue’s best delicacies, such as Bun Thit Buong and Che.
Overnight in Hue (Meals: _/_/D)
Day 10
Train
Hue (Half day City Tour) to Hanoi | Train: 14 hours
Today, you will set out to explore Hue and learn about its intricate history which spans over 7 centuries. Taking in the sites of the Imperial Citadel and the Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns and the Forbidden Purple City. Next, you will continue to the last resting place of the 12th King, Khai Dinh, located in Chau Chu Mountain just outside of Hue before transferring to the train station for your overnight train ride to Hanoi.
Overnight on train (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 11
Hanoi
City & Country Life Tour
After an early arrival in Hanoi you travel to the Village of Bac Bien, crossing the Long Bien Bridge along the way. On arrival, you’ll get to embrace local Vietnamese village life, and visit the nearby pagoda. In the afternoon, you’ll return to Hanoi and visit some of its most notable sights, such as the Temple of Literature and the famed Old Quarter on foot. You’ll later hop on a traditional bicycle rickshaw and explore the busy streets of the old French Quarter.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: _/L/_)
Day 12
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay | Drive: 3 hours
In the morning you leave Hanoi behind again and travel out to the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay; a world Heritage site of outstanding beauty. You then board your junk boat and enjoy lunch as you set sail. In the afternoon you will stop to explore ‘Sung Sot Cave’, considered to be the most beautiful cave in the Bay. Back on board you then enjoy dinner and settle in for the night.
Overnight onboard (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 13
Hanoi
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi | Drive: 3 hours
In the morning you will be served brunch as your boat slowly cruises past the many beautiful islets of Ha Long Bay on its way back to port. As you disembark your driver will greet you and transfer you back to Hanoi, where you have the evening to enjoy as you wish. We could also arrange for you a traditional evening ‘Water Puppet’ show.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 14
Hanoi
Thay Pagoda & Chang Son Village
Today, you’ll venture out to visit the Thay Pagoda built in the 11th century and the Chang Son Village one the oldest in the country and well known for its various handcrafted products. Nowadays the village is mostly visited for its handmade traditional paper fans. The fans symbolize the grace and reserved character of women, and the elegance and strength of men and have played an important role in Vietnamese culture for thousands of years.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 15
Hanoi
Departure
Today you will be free to enjoy your last day in Vietnam before being transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Vietnam
Vietnam has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Vietnam. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.
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