Duration: 13 Days
With its long history, interesting culture, and sprawling landscapes, Vietnam offers something for everyone. Sightseeing tours in the cities feature the must-see sites, including Hanoi’s One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049; Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge; and Hue’s impressive Imperial Citadel. In Ho Chi Minh City, sightseeing includes the War Remnants Museum, and the Cu Chi region, where you’ll get to explore the deep, narrow tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the war. Vietnam isn’t just home to beautiful temples and historic sites though! You’ll enjoy seeing some of Vietnam’s most gorgeous sights and destinations via the water. A highlight of the trip is your cruise on Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the world’s most amazing limestone formations. You’ll sail by islets, caves, beaches, and floating villages. In Ninh Binh, a boat ride through the Trang An Landscape Complex, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes you through more spectacular scenery in the Red River Delta. You’ll also enjoy a cruise in Hoi An on the Thu Bon River, where you’ll pass unspoiled countryside. These are just some of the many highlights on this tour through Vietnam. From the historic sites to the stunning scenery, this Vietnam tour designed for savvy, value-minded travel lovers is a holiday of a lifetime!
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Please note: Itinerary is a preview and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Vietnam's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for a mid-afternoon check-in.
Today's included sightseeing tour takes you to many of the city's highlights, including the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and gateways, and One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a lotus blossom. You will also see Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the fascinating network of alleyways and shop houses that make up the Old Quarter. Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program created to teach local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. This evening, you may choose to join an optional performance of Hanoi's famed water puppets. (B,L)
Drive to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's favourite destinations, and board your afternoon cruise through the stunning bay. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail through the dramatic limestone islands, then explore the Sung Sot (Surprising Cave) and visit Titov Island. (B,L)
Drive to Ninh Binh, often referred to as Ha Long Bay on land. This afternoon, visit Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a cruise through the stunning scenery of rugged peaks and valleys lined with rice fields. You'll also visit Hoa Lu, the first capital of Vietnam dating back to the 10th century. Continue to your resort. (B,L,D)
Start your day with a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple complex to see the towering 13-floor pagoda and 30-foot-high bronze Buddha statue. Then, visit Bich Dong Pagoda a three-tiered ancient pagoda nestled into a mountainside along with a cluster of cave temples. Lastly, travel to Mua Cave viewpoint and marvel at the stunning vistas of this breathtaking area. Save your energy as there are approximately 500 steps to the top! Enjoy some time at leisure this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Drive to Hanoi and board a flight to Danang on Vietnam's central coast. On arrival transfer to nearby Hoi An, Vietnam's active trading centre. The well-preserved architecture here reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders. (B)
Start today with a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town including an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. For lunch, sample Cao Lao noodles, Hoi An's most famous dish. The smoked, chewy noodles have a distinctive taste and are unique to Hoi An. Afterwards, take a cruise on the Thu Bon River, passing unspoiled countryside before visiting with a local farmer to learn about life on the river. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps spend it at the beach, take an excursion to My Son, or explore pottery and wood carving villages. (B)
Visit the Cham Museum, then continue through the spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to Hue. After lunch, get a glimpse of Vietnam's unique past when you visit the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors: the Khai Dinh Mausoleum and the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc. (B,L)
Begin today with a visit to the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city. The Thien Mu Pagoda has seven tiers, each dedicated to a step assumed by Buddha to reach enlightenment. Later, fly to Ho Chi Minh City. (B)
Today explore Vietnam's largest and most vibrant city. Your walking tour takes you along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the War Remnants Museum, followed by Ben Thanh Market, the largest and oldest in the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Today, visit the Cu Chi tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles long used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas, and meeting rooms. If you are feeling adventurous, you may enter and explore the deep, narrow tunnels. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
