8 Day Essential Vietnam Tour From $1564*us
Includes flights from Montreal & much more!
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Enjoy time at leisure or join the optional tour to Cu Chi Tunnels, and underground network including 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. You could also opt to participate in an optional tour of Ho Chi Minh City, including the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House.
Fly to sparkling Hanoi, cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam’s most celebrated attractions. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. There are over 3,000 islands in the emerald waters and numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay and visit one of the caves! Afterwards, travel to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital.
Spend the day at leisure discovering all of the delights of Hanoi independently, or, enjoy an optional city tour including a visit to the Museum of Ethnology. There is also the opportunity to attend an optional performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show and optional tour to the stunning Thay Pagoda and So Village.
Trip Highlights
Escorted Package Includes
- Flights Montreal-Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi-Montreal
- Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- Intra-flight: Ho Chi Minh-Hanoi
- 6 nights accommodations
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers
- 7 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Special Features
- Leisure time to enjoy Hoi Chi Minh former Saigon with its magnificent French colonial architecture
- View the thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea during the Halong Bay Excursion
- Time to explore the capital city of Hanoi, a fascinating blend of East and West, at your own pace
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1, Wednesday – Depart for Vietnam
Depart for Vietnam
DAY 2, Thursday – Arrive in Ho Chi Minh
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
DAY 3, Friday – Full Day in Ho Chi Minh
Enjoy the full day at leisure or, join the optional morning half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. They were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. In the afternoon, choose to participate in an optional half day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market – where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping thorougfare in the center of the city. Early in the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and briefing by your Tour Manager. Remainder of the evening is at leisure. Be sure to check out the diversified dining scene in this culinary rich city
Optional: Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels (AM)
Optional: Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour (PM)
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday – Flight to Hanoi, Transfer to Halong Bay
Depart Ho Chi Minh on a flight to sparkling Hanoi, cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam’s most celebrated attractions. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight
Overnight: Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday – Cruise Halong Bay, Travel to Hanoi
Incredible views await you today! Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, added to the list of UNESCO Heritage sites and declared recently as one of the “New Seven Natural Wonders of the World”. There are over 3,000 islands in the emerald waters and over 1,000 have their own names. Numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit one of the caves and afterwards, travel to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital and check into your hotel. This city’s history is tied to French colonialism – its architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6, Monday – Full Day in Hanoi
Spend a full day at leisure discovering Hanoi on your own, or take the optional tour to the stunning Thay Pagoda and So Village, including lunch, also known as the “Pagoda of the Master”. Nestled against the hillside in Sai Go Village, it shares its compound with the smaller Ca pagoda. Here, you’ll also see Thuy Dinh Stage, a water palace on Long Tri Pond, where the ancient form of water puppetry is performed. Continue to So Village, a well-preserved ancient village. Walking tour around the village with its traditional layout and small alleyways in-between the houses. Stop at one of the communal houses to meet villagers who earn their living from making noodles. In the evening, join an optional Cyclo Ride & Water Puppet show with dinner. Take a cyclo ride around the bustling Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Cyclo is a very common mode of transportation in Vietnam. Afterwards, attend a performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and Cheo (a form of opera). The show depicts a series of ancient Vietnamese folktales, acted out by puppets over a pool of water. Enjoy a delightful dinner of Vietnamese delicacies before returning to your hotel
Optional: Thay Pagoda & So Village with Lunch
Optional: Cyclo Ride & Water Puppet Show with Dinner
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday – Full Day in Hanoi
Spend a full day at leisure discovering all of the delights of Hanoi independently, or enjoy an optional half day tour of Hanoi including a visit to the Museum of Ethnology, center for the preservation and exhibition of cultural heritage for over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Tonight, join the optional traditional dinner with a Vietnamese family in their home. Sample delectable home-cooked Vietnamese specialties along with a warm and friendly cultural exchange
Optional: Half Day Hanoi City Tour (AM)
Optional: Home Hosted Dinner in Hanoi
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Wednesday – Depart Vietnam
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
Featured Hotels
Northern Hotel Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
This superior tourist class hotel is a short walk from the Saigon Opera House.
Guest Rooms: The guest rooms are are decorated with classic furnishings and sophisticated decor. All are well equipped with a variety of modern amenities.
Location: The hotel is situated in the central business district of Ho Chi Minh City. The Saigon Opera House and the Ho Chi Minh City Hall are within a half mile walk. Independence Palace and the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral are within a mile walk.
Restaurants: Melody Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet and European and Asian dishes for lunch and dinner.
Halong Palace Hotel, Halong Bay
This first class hotel overlooks the magnificent Halong Bay.
Guest Rooms: The modern and comfortable guest rooms feature a view of Halong Bay. All rooms are equipped with a variety of amenities for a relaxing stay.
Location: The hotel is located in the Bai Chay tourist area of Ha Long city, and features wonderful views of Halong Bay. Bai Chay beach is about a five minute drive away. Enjoy the hotel’s on-site fitness center and pool.
Restaurants: Diamond Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet that features Asian and European dishes. Beverages are available at the Crystal Bar and the Halong Blue Lounge and Bar.
May De Ville City Centre, Hanoi
This first class hotel is located within walking distance of the Hanoi Opera House.
Guest Rooms: The spacious rooms are fitted with stylish regional decor that perfectly complements the elegant wooden furnishings. All rooms are equipped with complimentary WiFi internet access, air conditioning and a flat screen television.
Location: The hotel is about a half mile walk away from the Hanoi Opera House. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and Hoan Kiem Lake are about a mile walk away. The hotel has a fitness center, a steam room and a Jacuzzi.
Restaurants: Paddy’s Restaurant serves a variety of Asian and European dishes. Guests can enjoy a beverage at the hotel’s rooftop Sunset Bar.
*Price displayed in US dollars, per person, double occupancy, Applicable to certain August 2017 departures, other dates available at various prices. Includes return airfare from Montreal plus domestic flight, airport taxes, transfers, accommodations, certain meals plus sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary. OPC Indemnity Fund fee of $1 per $1,000 of travel products sold is additional. Limited space, other conditions and restrictions may apply. Not all travel dates available. Offer is Subject to change or cancellation at any time.