Deal negotiated for you
- 11-day / 10-night private tour with accommodation in the hotels as mentioned or similar
- Breakfast as well as 3 lunches, 2 dinners and 1 brunch as mentioned in the programme
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Domestic flight Phu Quoc - Hanoi (day 8)
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh airport to Ho Chi Minh city centre by private vehicle (day 1)
- Private car transfer service (except to Phu Quoc and Halong)
- Rach Gia - Phu Quoc transfer by non-private speedboat (day 4)
- Transfer from hotel to Phu Quoc airport by hotel shuttle (day 8)
- Round-trip transfer Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi on the ship's company bus (days 9 and 10)
- Return transfer to Hanoi airport (day 11) by private vehicle
- Welcome and assistance at the airport of arrival
- Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the programme
- Services of a local English-speaking guide from day 2 to day 4 and on day 8
- The services of a shared English-speaking guide for day 5 in Phu Quoc
- Cruise and overnight stay on Halong Bay (day 9)
Your stay starts here
Southern Vietnam and islands of paradise, including Halong Bay discovery
Experience the essence of Vietnam with an itinerary that combines bustling cities, traditional culture and spectacular scenery. From the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, to the serene landscapes of Vung Liem and the bustling floating markets of Can Tho, to the idyllic beaches of Phu Quoc, each destination unveils a different facet of this captivating nation.
Finish your journey in Hanoi, the historic capital, and marvel at the majestic Halong Bay, an iconic natural jewel. A unique adventure in the heart of a country rich in contrasts and emotions.
This private tour lasts 11 days.
Day-by-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Vung Liem
Day 3: Vung Liem - Can Tho
Day 4: Can Tho - Phu Quoc
Day 5: Snorkelling in Phu Quoc
Day 6: Day at leisure in Phu Quoc
Day 7: Day at leisure in Phu Quoc
Day 8: Phu Quoc - Hanoi
Day 9: Day at Halong Bay
Day 10: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Day 11: Last day - departure from Hanoi
Your detailed itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! You will be met by your driver at Tan Son Nhat airport and driven to the city centre.
The rest of the time is free for you to rest after the long plane journey or enjoy a first sightseeing of the city on your own.
Our suggestions:
- The old post office, built during the French Indochina period
- Notre-Dame Cathedral
- The Chinese quarter of Cholon
- Ben Thanh market , where you'll find shoes, accessories, handicrafts, flowers, spices, a variety of foods and a restaurant.
Meals not included.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City - Vung Liem
On this morning, you will depart Ho Chi Minh City for a three-hour journey to Vung Liem, a village in the Mekong Delta. On arrival, you will be met by your host and put up in a traditional private bungalow.
After enjoying a traditional meal, you will explore the local area by bicycle, visiting a duck farm, a pitaya orchard, a factory producing coconut products and some rice paddies. You will also learn how puffed rice is made.
The afternoon concludes with a walk with the locals, followed by a jointly prepared dinner. The evening is rounded off with a traditional musical performance.
Overnight in the bungalow.
Day 3 | Vung Liem - Can Tho
After enjoying breakfast prepared by your host, you will set off on a leisurely canal cruise in a private boat. You will then visit a local market to observe the Mekong people trading. Next, you will learn about Caodaism at a Cao Đài temple — a religion that combines Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity and Islam.
You will then continue on to a coconut workshop, where you will see how each part of the nut is used in the craft.
Afterwards, you 'll leave for Can Tho, visiting the town museum and the ancient Binh Thuy house, which combines elements of Eastern and Western architecture.
Overnight at a hotel in Can Tho.
Day 4 | Can Tho - Phu Quoc
In the morning, you will set off early by boat to visit the lively Cai Rang floating market, where you can observe traditional trade using the 'offering poles'. The market provides excellent photo opportunities. You will then continue your cruise to a peaceful village, where you will stop for tea and chat with the locals about their simple, close-to-nature way of life.
You will then travel to Rach Gia (2h-2h30 drive) to take a fast boat to Phu Quoc. On arrival, a car will take you to the resort.
Phu Quoc, known as the island of pearls, is a tranquil place, rich in nature, with pristine beaches and forests, ideal for trekking, diving and snorkelling.
Meals not included. Overnight on Phu Quoc island.
Day 5 | Snorkelling in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc, surrounded by pristine forests and white sandy beaches, is popular for its natural scenery and seaside activities. This morning, you will head to the An Thoi pier for a boat trip to the southern islands of Phu Quoc. You will visit Mong Tay Island and Gam Ghi Islet, renowned for snorkelling thanks to their crystal-clear waters, colourful coral and varied marine life.
After lunch on board, you will stop off at May Rut islet to continue exploring the marine life, before returning to the mainland at the end of the day.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 6 | Free day in Phu Quoc
Free time to relax, sunbathe, and unwind…
Meals at your leisure and overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 7 | Free day in Phu Quoc
Free time to relax, sunbathe, and unwind…
Meals are not included and overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 8 | Phu Quoc - Hanoi
Today, you will take a shuttle bus from the resort to Phu Quoc airport for a flight to Hanoi.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Vietnam Ethnography Museum, which boasts fascinating collections showcasing the country's 54 ethnic groups. Next, you will visit the Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam's first university and is a prime example of traditional architecture.
Take a stroll through Hanoi's picturesque district and visit the Opera Theatre, Ly Thai To Park, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Then, explore the Old Quarter. Treat yourself to a cup of egg yolk coffee, a local speciality, before enjoying a traditional water puppet show in the evening.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 9 | Day in Halong Bay
After breakfast, you will take a bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On arrival, you will embark on a luxurious cruise, where you will enjoy a welcome drink, settle into your cabin and have lunch on board. The boat then sails slowly through Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, offering spectacular views of the rock formations.
Dinner is served on board and, in the evening, a night fishing session is available on request.
Overnight on board.
Day 10 | Halong Bay - Hanoi
In the morning, enjoy the sunrise while practising Tai Chi on the terrace. Have breakfast while sailing across the bay. Pass several rocks, islets, caves and fish-farming villages along the way. Expect to disembark between 10:30 and 11:00 am.
Transfer back to Hanoi where you will arrive in the afternoon.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 11 | Final day - departure from Hanoi
After breakfast, the driver will transfer you to Noi Bai international airport for your departure flight.
Accommodation
During your 11-day private tour, you will stay for 10 nights in the accommodation listed below (or similar):
- Ho Chi Minh: 2 nights at the 4-star Muong Thanh Saigon Centre Hotel in a Deluxe Room
- Vung Liem: 1 night at the Coco Riverside Lodge in a Standard Double Room
- Can Tho: 1 night at the 4-star Can Tho Ecolodge in a Deluxe Room
- Phu Quoc: 4 nights at the 4-star Sol by Melia Phu Quoc in a Standard Room
- Hanoi: 2 nights at the 4-star Acoustic Hotel & SPA in a Deluxe Room
- Ha Long: 1 night aboard the 4-star Amanda Luxury Cruise in a Standard Cabin
Please note:
The establishments are rated as 4-star according to local standards. The services provided may not be equivalent to European 4-star standards.
Hotels are subject to change, depending on availability. However, we will always try to accommodate you in hotels of a similar category.
Your board
During your tour, you will enjoy breakfasts from day 2 to day 11 inclusive, as well as 3 lunches (days 2, 5, and 9), 2 dinners (days 2 and 9), and a brunch.
ENTRY / RESIDENCE FORMALITIES
Since 15 August 2023, British nationals have been exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days (including days of entry and exit), regardless of the type of passport or the purpose of the stay.
To benefit from this visa exemption, the expiry date of the passport must not be less than six months before the end of the stay in Vietnam.
The passport must have:
- at least 2 blank pages
- no damage – British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage
Tourist visa exemption (maximum 45 days, including entry and exit days), e-visa (maximum 90 days, including multiple entry and exit days) and tourist visas in general cannot be extended or renewed on the spot. Neither the UK Embassy in Hanoi nor the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City can intervene in these matters, which are the responsibility of the Vietnamese authorities.