Best of Vietnam
Tour Overview
100% Customisable Private Tour
9 Activities | 25 Meals | 10 Days
Ready for some fun? Prepare for a sensory feast, from Southeast Asia’s most vibrant destination. Our Best of Vietnam tour takes you through the country’s different climates and cultures – with a few local coffees to energise you for your travels.
Kick off in the chaotic streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, before catching your breath on a peaceful cruise through Halong Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage site – and one worth plenty of space on your camera for!)
Soak up the ancient history of Hue, shop til you drop among the lantern-lit tailor shops of Hoi An, sink into lazy river life on the banks of the Mekong and check out the bars and street food of buzzing Saigon before learning more about the country’s roots: with an unforgettable trip to the Cu Chi tunnels.
Our guided Vietnam tours and travel experiences are 100% customisable: so you can pick and choose what speaks to you, your family or your group depending on your needs, interests and budget.
Highlights
- Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise
- Hanoi city break
- Saigon nightlife
- Hue city motorbike tour & citadel visit
- Tailors of Hoi An
- Cu Chi Tunnels tour
- Mekong Delta boat trip
Tour includes & excludes
What’s included…
- 3-star hotels (8 nights), cruise boat (1 night)
- 14 meals (9 x breakfasts, 4 x lunches, 1 x dinner)
- Halong Bay boat cruise
- Hue city tour
- Hai Van Pass transfer & Marble Mountain tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels tour
- Mekong Delta tour
- English-speaking local guides, entrance tickets & all transport
- 2 x domestic flights
What’s not…
- Travel insurance & compulsory visa
- Visa – also compulsory: contact us to arrange this at an extra cost.
- Spending money, tips & all drinks
- International departure taxes / international flights
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Day In Hanoi
From the moment you land at Hanoi airport we will be with you every step of the way. If this is your first holiday to Vietnam, don't stress. Our driver will be waiting at the arrival gate holding a sign with your name. The hour-long trip from the airport to your hotel provides a visual feast. Stare in wonderment at the whirring washing-machine of traffic and distinctive architecture of the nation's capital.
- Hotel: 3 Star - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities:
Transfer: Private Airport Transfer
Day 2: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Today, after checking out of your Hanoi hotel, consider leaving extra luggage behind. Pack essentials for your Halong Bay excursion: swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, toiletries, change of clothes, and warm clothing for winter (Dec-Feb). Don't forget your camera and passport.
A shuttle bus will pick you up for the journey; note it's a shared service, but private transfers can be arranged for an additional cost. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Harbour, transfer to your Ha Long Bay Cruise and settle in with a welcome drink and safety briefing. Enjoy lunch as you sail through Lan Ha Bay, a serene extension of Halong Bay, passing Finger Islet and Candle Islet. Weather permitting, kayak in Ao Ech (Three Peach area) to explore the unique limestone formations. Return for a tea ceremony and relax during "Happy Hour" onboard. In the evening, dine on a deluxe dinner, sip cocktails or try activities like squid fishing before retiring to your cabin for the night, anchored in a tranquil spot chosen by the captain.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Cruise: 3 Star Boat - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Ha long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Transfer: Shared Car to Harbour (private car at additional cost)
Day 3: Ha Long Bay Cruise & Evening In Hanoi
After checking out of your cabin, enjoy a light breakfast as we sail towards Cat Ba Island, passing breathtaking karst formations. Explore the Tra Bau floating village, the famous filming location for Kong Skull Island (King Kong) in Quang Ninh in 2018 through a kayaking adventure, immersing yourself in local culture. Return to the boat for check-out and brunch as we cruise back to the harbor. Disembark around midday, bid farewell to the crew, and return to Hanoi by bus or private car if you have requested. Please note, schedules and activities may vary due to weather conditions. All meals are included, and dietary preferences should be communicated in advance. Don't forget your passport and payment method for onboard expenses.
You will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi and have the rest of the afternoon and evening to relax and explore the hustle and bustle of this top Vietnam city.
Hint: Add an extra day on a Ha Long Bay cruise to get the ultimate waters edge experience.
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
- Hotel: 3 Star Hotel - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Ha long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruise
- Transfer: Shared Car to Hotel (private car at additional cost)
Day 4: Hanoi To Hue City Tour
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Hanoi Airport for a short hour long flight to Hue - the spiritual capital of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Our driver will pick you up from Hue airport and transfer you directly to the hotel.
After checking in, your private guide will greet you at your Hue hotel. They will introduce you to our team of highly skilled motorbike drivers who will accompany you on a captivating historical Hue tour. Your safety is paramount, which is why we partner with only the most qualified drivers.
During the tour, you'll explore the highlights of Hue city and the countryside. You'll visit a royal tomb, the ancient citadel, and the storied Forbidden Purple City, all while local guides, passionate about their hometown of Hue, share captivating stories and insights. Hue's historical significance from the Vietnam War adds another compelling layer to your experience.
The day concludes with a scenic ride along the Perfume River to a tranquil pagoda, where local monks have prepared an authentic vegetarian lunch for your group.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Hotel: 3 Star - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Hue City Tour by Motorbike (as passenger)
- Transfer: Airport transfer in Hanoi & Hue, Domestic Flight Hanoi to Hue
Day 5: Hue To Hoi An Via The Hai Van Pass
Your journey from Hue to Hoi A begins, spanning 160km through picturesque landscapes. You'll traverse coastal rice paddies to reach the quaint fishing village of Lang Co, then embark on the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. This iconic route climbs to 496m (1,627 ft), celebrated in Top Gear as "a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coastal roads in the world." Passing through Da Nang, you'll explore the captivating Marble Mountains. These five limestone hills are named after the elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) and are dotted with caves, ancient pagodas, and intricate sculptures crafted with fascinating history.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Hotel: 3 Star - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Hai Van Pass & Marble Mountain Transfer
Transfer: Transfer to Hoi An
Day 6 & 7: Hoi An Ancient Town Free Day
The Best of Vietnam would not be complete without discovering the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An, where optional activities abound. Choose from a half-day countryside cycling tour, scuba diving, and snorkeling at Cham Island and basket boat rides. Immerse yourself in local culture with visits to the ancient ruins of My Son, joining in on a Hoi A cooking class, making a lantern or getting adventurous on a Hoi An Jeep Tour.
This is also the perfect time to relax by the hotel pool or indulge in shockingly cheap priced massages, facial, or pedicure.
*Please note - Additional optional tours mentioned above are not included.
- Meals: Breakfast x 2
- Hotel: 3 Star - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Contact us to add activities to your free days in Hoi An
- Transfer:
Day 8: Hoi An To Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Today, after checking out of your hotel, you'll transfer to Da Nang airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Saigon airport, our driver will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name. The journey to your hotel will take about 30 minutes through bustling traffic.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, dazzles with bright neon lights, vibrant shopping districts, and chic cafes. Its wide, tree-lined boulevards reflect its French colonial past, while modern skyscrapers signify its leap into the 21st century. Amidst this modernity, the city's chaotic motorbike traffic adds a unique charm—watching the swarm of overloaded bikes and unique passengers is an experience in itself.
Check-in at your hotel (early check-in subject to availability). Lunch is at your own expense. Later, venture west from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where you'll explore the renowned tunnels used by communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War. Stretching over 250 km and spanning three underground levels, these tunnels offer a profound insight into the challenges, bravery, determination, and hardships of guerrilla warfare. Return to your hotel around 5pm and enjoy a free evening in the big city.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: 3 Star - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour
Transfer: Airport Transfers Hoi An/ Da nang & Saigon, Domestic Flight Da nang to Saigon
Day 9: Mekong Delta Day Tour
The mighty Mekong Delta, where colourful floating villages, rare birdlife, boats stacked with vibrant local fruit, water buffalo, and rice paddy workers toil away beneath the irrepressible Vietnamese sun co-exist in an utterly beguiling ecosystem.
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the township of Ben Tre, where you will climb aboard a private boat for a leisurely, culture-rich expedition down the Mekong Delta. Activities include visiting one of the coconut processing workshops along the canal, before steering through narrow rivers to smaller creeks where there is an opportunity to meet local villagers. These workshops are part of the local cottage industries that provide a hands-on experience of traditional local crafts and productions. Marvel at the unique lifestyles of the villagers, who have lived and thrived on the river for centuries.
From here, take a motor cart or cycle through the enchanting countryside of vibrant green rice fields and vegetable plains to gain a better understanding on how the local people live. A traditional lunch will be served at a restaurant followed by an afternoon of rowing along the Water Palm Creek, before boarding the boat back to the Hung Vuong Pier. A Private transfer will then take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Hotel: 3 Star - Contact us to Upgrade
- Activities: Mekong Delta Full Day
Transfer: Private Tour
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Enjoy free time until your driver comes to pick you up at your hotel for your airport transfer. If you are not wanting your trip to end, ask us about our suggested Vietnam and Southeast Asia tour upgrades and extensions.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: Departure Day
- Activities:
- Transfer: Private Airport Transfer
DAY 10: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy free time until your driver comes to pick you up at your hotel for your airport transfer. (Psst…If you don’t want your trip to end, ask us about our Vietnam and Southeast Asia tour upgrades and extensions!)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: N/A – it’s time to go!
- Activities: Leaving (reluctantly!)
- Transfer: Private airport transfer
Map Journey
Book your dream holiday…
- 100% Customisable
- Extend & combine tours
- Upgrade accommodation
- Change locations
- Adjust for your budget
Travel Tips
- Start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: depending on your international travel, you may want to travel Vietnam from South to North
- Extend your trip to Phu Quoc island and enjoy relaxing days on the beach.
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All our tours are 100% Customisable
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Why choose Wide Eyed Tours & Travel?
Expert Local Knowledge
Ditch the stress, with a trip that’s been crafted by locals. Our team is built of on-the-ground travel experts who can’t wait to share their country’s spoils – from their hometowns, beyond.
Customisable Experiences
We’ve offered custom-made tours to Southeast Asia for over 20 years, with every ‘type’ of traveller. We know how their tastes and needs change – so our flexible tours can change with them.
More Freedom
We don’t believe in rigid itineraries. Our customers can set the scene to go at their own pace, and choose the activities that interest them – with the chance to mix things up as they go.
Frequently asked questions about Vietnam
Is Vietnam friendly to tourists?
Summer months are usually hot and humid. The perfect time to see northern Vietnam is spring (from April until May) and autumn (September to December), when days are mostly warm and sunny.
How many days in Vietnam is enough?
It depends what you want to see, and how much of this captivating country you want to squeeze in! You could focus on the southern cities or the northern hills. Visit the famous Halong Bay, the villages surrounding Sapa valley, marvel at the beauty of Hoi An or experience riverside life along the southern Mekong Delta region. It’s a big country, with plenty to offer: so give yourself at least two weeks to travel around Vietnam.
What is the best way to tour vietnam?
Vietnam has high-quality transport links around most of the country – a scenic railway connecting north to south and plenty of sleeper buses whizzing down modern highways. However, to see even more of the country without needing to spend half of your time on the road, domestic flights are the most convenient option…and very affordable, too. For the places without airports, you might like to choose a private transfer for more freedom – whether that’s a private car, as part of a jeep tour or even bezzing around on the back of a motorbike: surely the most scenic and thrilling way to experience Vietnam!
Is Vietnam friendly to tourists?
As tourism is an ever-expanding industry here, you’ll notice that Vietnam is incredibly tourist-friendly. The level of English spoken among locals, particularly in key tourist destinations, is high and people are always willing to help with directions, pump a flat tyre or bring a cup of hot green tea to cool you down. Also, since the country closed its borders during COVID, locals now are thrilled to see travellers returning again.
Sure, you may have to deal with a few “buy something’s!” as you wander through the markets – but it’s all done with a friendly smile and a wink. And, as with bargaining, which is not only expected but encouraged for almost every transaction, it’s all part of the fun.