You are Here: Home / Browse by Destination / South East Asia / Vietnam / Glimpse of Vietnam
11 days

Glimpse of Vietnam

Glimpse of Vietnam

Vietnam's northern capital Hanoi

The tailors and market traders of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An

The bustling streets and cyclos of Saigon

Nha Trang cruise - the islands of the South China Sea

Trip rating

  • Overview

    Explore the historic capitals of Vietnam, from the colonial charm of Hanoi to its bustling southern counterpart, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Discover Hue, the former seat of power of the Nguyen Dynasty, and Hoi An, which still exudes the aura of bygone days. Also relax in the tropical beach spots of Nha Trang and Mui Ne, on the South China Sea.

    You can also end your Vietnam experience two days later and visit the bustling and colourful Mekong Delta. See 'Itinerary Variation' in the Detailed Itinerary for further information.

    Itinerary

    Day 1 - Hanoi

    • On arrival in Hanoi you are met and transferred to your hotel. You meet your tour leader here who will organise a pre-trip briefing, where you meet the other members of your group, before heading out for an optional group dinner. Until your meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Vietnam has to offer. Make sure that you take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back to the hotel. Please note that your tour leader will collect your travel insurance details at the meeting, so please bring them with you. The meeting is generally followed by an optional group meal out at one of Hanoi's fantastic eating spots.
    La Vien Hotel or similar

    Day 2 - Hanoi

    • Hanoi is one of Asia's most enchanting cities. This northern capital is a quiet, contradiction of its southern counterpart. Its relaxed ambience is a joy, with exploration best on foot or bicycle. The shopping is fun and the many lakes and parks provide enjoyable escapes. We take a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting the major sights, including the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and paying a homage to Vietnam's most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. We also include lunch at the KOTO café – an amazing project aimed at providing vocational training and experience in the hospitality industry for underprivileged young people. All the staff you meet at this café have come from poor backgrounds. In the evening we travel on an overnight sleeper-class train journey to Hue. The train is very basic; we travel in 'soft sleeper' class which is a compartment for up to four people; a communal environment. The beds on board come with a pillow and sheets, although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional and not a necessity). Also, breakfast tomorrow is not the best food you will find in Vietnam, so it is recommended that you purchase some snacks before boarding in Hanoi. This journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real’ Vietnam.
    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 3 - Hue

    • Our destination is Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam (1802-1945) and also one of its cultural centres. Upon arrival, we freshen up before enjoying a tour of the city and its surroundings. The royal mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda are not to be missed. We include these in a guided cruise on the Perfume River, which also gives us a taste of the tranquil countryside. Returning to town, we then visit the Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive; however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. In the evening we have a chance to sample the local delicacy known as 'banh khoai'.
    Mondial Hotel or similar

    Day 4 - Hoi An

    • This morning we embark on one of Vietnam's most spectacular road trips by crossing over the Hai Van Pass, towards Danang. We continue south to China Beach, enjoyed as an 'R & R' spot during the Vietnam War, which lies against a backdrop of the sensational Marble Mountains. We also visit these ‘mountains’, which consist of five peaks that are actually limestone with marble outcrops and are seen to epitomise the five elements: fire, water, earth, wood and metal. The history of the mountains is a rich one. They were once used by the Chams for religious purposes, but in more recent times became a haven for the Viet Cong, with their clear view of the Danang air base - at one time the busiest airport in the world. Good footwear is essential, as the paths between the rocks are sometime slippery. Our destination at the end of the day is Hoi An. There are many street-side cafes and restaurants in Hoi An - ideal places to finish off the day by sampling the culinary delights of this town.
    Hoi An Hotel or similar
    Breakfast

    Day 5 - Hoi An

    • Hoi An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There is a distinctly Chinese appearance with pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. Hoi An was once a bustling port in centuries gone by, before the river silted up. Today it is a delightful backwater town with an air of liveliness about it. The tranquillity and charm of Hoi An, coupled with its low tiled houses, makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. It is a constant favourite of our travellers and staff. A walking tour takes us to see a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. During a free afternoon you can enjoy a bicycle ride in the countryside or relax at the nearby Cua Dai Beach.
    Hoi An Hotel or similar
    Breakfast

    Day 6-7 - Nha Trang

    • Catch a flight to Nha Trang. On arrival in Nha Trang we check into our hotel, which is close to the local beach. A highlight of our visit here is a day trip out on a boat exploring the islands of the South China Sea. We spend a day on the water enjoying swimming, snorkelling, lazing on a beach and feasting on a seafood lunch.
    Asia Paradise Hotel or similar
    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 8 - Mui Ne

    • We continue down the coast to Mui Ne, which is a quiter beach stop that offers a relaxing change of pace from Nha Trang. Nearby are some very large sand dunes, which are one of the country's more renowned natural wonders. There are also interesting fishing villages nearby.
    Dynasty Resort or similar
    Breakfast

    Day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

    • Our southbound journey continues as we head towards the tropical south. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and the nation's economic capital. In the afternoon a short city tour takes us to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral, and allows us to admire the many beautiful French colonial buildings such as the main post office and the former Hotel de Ville (city hall). The city also renowned for its nightlife, ranging from international class cafes to surprising bars and nightclubs.
    Asia Paradise Hotel or similar
    Breakfast

    Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City

    • In the morning, we head out of town to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is actually the name of the district that covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometres) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also utilised as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like (please note that this will be hot and sweaty and also a bit claustrophobic!). The afternoon is free for further exploration and shopping. Our final night together is an ideal opportunity to go out for a final group dinner (optional).
    Asia Paradise Hotel or similar
    Breakfast

    Day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City

    • The tour ends after breakfast. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, the hotel staff will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.
    Breakfast
    Download detailed trip notes

  • Details

    What to Know

    What's Included

    • Peregrine tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.

    Not Included

    • International flights, airport departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, any optional tours and activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

  • Map

    Map Itinerary

  • Reviews

    Past Travellers' Ratings & Comments

    There’s no feedback available on this trip yet. If you’ve been on this trip and would like to contribute a review, rating or simply make a comment then please get in touch.

    •  

  • Stories

    From our Blog

    Kids choice: Picking the perfect family holiday

    by ben.fenlon on 3 Oct 2012

    My name is Ben, I’m just a normal teenager. I struggle to get out of bed before 10, I find talking to my parents painful and school is a drag. The only thing that makes school liveable is the thought of holidays and the opportunity to travel around the globe.

    So parents, here is my guide to...

    Read on...

    Snapshot of Halong Bay

    by kellie.bright on 20 Aug 2012

    The story behind Halong Bay is a real beauty. Legend has it that when invaders came to Vietnam, the gods sent fierce dragons to protect the Vietnamese people. These brave dragon warriors spat thousands of jade jewels into the water to form a great wall against the invaders. These jewels became the...

    Read on...

    Making incense in Vietnam

    by theodora.sutcliffe on 8 Jun 2012

    Incense is part of daily life in Vietnam. Joss sticks are offered at the altars which grace every business and almost every home, sold by the kilo in little stores and even (in some parts) burnt against mosquitos.

    Now, there are not many places on this planet where a passing nine-year-old boy...

    Read on...

    Essential Vietnam

    by tom.neal.tacker on 23 Feb 2012

    Tom Neal Tacker writes for Naked Hungry Traveller, an Aussie online magazine that bares the truth on travel experiences with stories, reviews, news, tips and pics.

    Vietnam stretches for nearly 1,500 kilometres from its northern border with China to its vast Mekong River delta in its southern...

    Read on...

    The great packing debate

    by kellie.bright on 12 Feb 2012

    Once you've chosen a destination and booked a trip, the next big decision is about packing. There's so many different opinions out there about what's best. But you are the only one who knows what is right for you.

    Here's a couple of the most common debates when it comes to...

    Read on...
From US $1865.00
*Per Person, Twin Share

Select a trip date below

Trip Start Dates
Trip Duration
Guaranteed Departure Start Date
Trip Selected:
Price: US $
Start:
End:
Discount price: US $

*Please note: To receive the discounted price for this departure, please enter the Promo Code at Step 4 of the booking form.

No Code available
View all departures

Trip at a glance

Trip Code PAGV
Group size 6 - 15
Start City: Hanoi
End City: Saigon, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

What to know

On Day 2 there is the option to fly from Hanoi to Hue.

Contact an expert

800 387 7902We'll call you

Simply enter your details and we'll call you back within the next business day.

Request a Brochure