VIETNAM SOLO TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the key iconic places in Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit the Mekong Delta including the floating market
- See the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Enjoy the charm of Hoi An, central Vietnam with a three night stay
- Discover the beauty of the countryside regions of Mau Chau and Ninh Binh
- Optional activities including a cooking class in Hoi Ann and a countryside walk in Mau Chau
- Enjoy a superb overnight cruise on Halong Bay
- Visit Hanoi’s renowned landmarks including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh House and the Temple of Literature
- Take a ‘cyclo’ tour in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
- 2 and 3 night stays at many of the destinations
- Includes two domestic flights to create a more easy-paced tour
- Enjoy small group touring, just for solo travellers travelling Vietnam
PRE TOUR STAY
Consider arriving a day before the solo Vietnam tour starting date, or enjoy a stopover. You can relax and refresh after your flight. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
DAY 1
Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (or fondly called ‘Saigon’), Vietnam. This evening, meet up with your tour guide and group for a welcome introduction. The rest of the evening is at leisure and your guide is on hand to make some suggestions for local dining.
Meals: n/a
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh. Cu Chi Tunnels
At dawn, set out and experience the city awakening around you. After a typical Vietnamese iced coffee in one of Saigon's most beautiful parks, have a traditional breakfast at the dim sum store.
Later transfer to Cu Chi tunnel. We're going underground - deep into the Cu Chi Tunnels! These hand-dug tunnels changed the course of the Vietnam War. The well-camouflaged entrance holes lead into a network of incredibly narrow tunnels that stretch for over 200 kilometres connecting command posts, hospitals and shelters. We'll learn about the life of the Vietcong and venture into some of the tunnels. The deadly, bamboo-spiked booby traps are another must-see.
This evening, join together for dinner with your group.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Ho Chi Minh City - The Mekong Delta
Your visit to the Mekong Delta starts at CáiThia of Caibe district of Tien Giang province. Pass by Cai Thia church, and My Luong communal house and we take a boat to see how to make rice paper at local house.
Explore more of the Mekong Delta with a bicyle ride to visit the famous village of Hoa Loc; see see orchards, traditional houses, and a local school in the Mekong Delta. We visit a local home and create some cakes (local donuts) and enjoy some tastings with a a hot tea. After biking, we’ll come back to Cai Thia village to join a boat cruise with lunch onboard as we travel towards an Binh Island.
LOCAL EXPERIENCE
This afternoon check in at a charming homestay including tasting local dishes with the owners.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SPECIAL NOTES:
A scooter service is available for non-bikers (small fee applies)
DAY 4
The Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City - Hue
After breakfast we check out of our homestay and head back to Saigon where we have lunch at a local restaurant in the city before an afternoon of city touring.
Ever-vibrant, ever-changing - this is the buzzing city of Saigon, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There's classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We'll visit all the main sights of the city and make time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market.
Later today, transfer to airport for our flight to Hue and checking into our hotel for the next two nights of stay in the city of Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5
Hue
Start the day taking a boat trip to visit one of the oldest pagoda which is called Thien Mu Pagoda. Its iconic seven-story pagoda is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city and the temple has often been the subject of folk rhymes about Hue.
Visit the Royal Imperial City; located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty.
From the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, including a visit to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Next, venture into the countryside around Hue to the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat for meditation, reading and theatre performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Visit Garden House, special place reflect the ancient atmosphere of the imperial city, it is the manor of mandarin of the feudal court. The house has garden covered with full of fruit trees including mangosteens, sapodilla plums, apricots, lychee, baccaurea, figs and grapefruits.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6
Hue - Hoi An
Views that take your breath away - welcome to the Hai Van Pass - we drive from Hue to this incredible mountain pass on our way to Hoi An. Hoi An is home to beaches made famous by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, several quirky bridges and the wonderful Cham Museum containing the best collection of Cham sculpture. We'll also stop at the Marble Mountains - a group of limestone and marble hills filled with caves.
This evening, all aboard for an evening dinner cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
Hoi An Highlights
From Hoi An we visit a fishing village to witness local life and take a cruise on CỬA ĐẠI River. Join local fisherman on the river and enjoy hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing and learn a bit about the cultural folk music of Bả Trạo with local fishermen. We continue on to arrive to Cẩm Thanh Village; hear about the past war story before exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways. And, have a go at paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats. We are back on board the boat for lunch and a cold drink.
After lunch, wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central market and the small harbour where colourfully painted boats are moored and take in some local sights. Finally, continue to the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. During the time, you will visit the workshop and learn how to make lanterns - which is a symbol of Hoi An. Also learn the traditional art of Vietnamese painting and stories of a local artist.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8
Hoi An Highlights
Hop on your bike from the hotel in Hoi An to visit the colorful market where you can find many ingredients for our cooking class today. Continue your trip through the beautiful countryside to Tra Que village, stop at a farmer's house to visit the vegetable fields and get some hands on experience of farming life. Learn how to prepare special dishes with the local family and enjoy lunch.
After lunch, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9
Hoi An - Hanoi – Mai Chau
This morning we transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Hanoi. On arrival we transfer by road to the pretty countryside region of Mai Chau and check into our hotel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
Mai Chau Valley
A day ahead in the picturesque Mai Chau Valley visiting local villages; Mai Ha, Kha, Te Village, Buoc, Mai Hich. The landscape around Mai Chau is truly marvellous. Most villagers live in wooden stilted houses, surrounded by rice fields and hills.
This morning after breakfast we transfer to Mai Ha Village where we start a walk to reach Kha and Te village. During our walk through the valley we go from one village to another, seeing farmers tending their crops and herding their buffalos. For lunch, around midday day we are arrive to Buoc village.
After lunch we continue on to reach Mai Hich village and witness how life remains unchanged through the generations. We return to our eco lodge later in the afternoon for a relaxing evening soaking up the picturesque location.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11
Mai Chau to Ninh Binh
We have a morning to enjoy the Sam Pa – Cha Long trek. Or, take the option for to relax this morning at our eco lodge.
Sam Pa – Cha Long Trek details
Duration: 2 – 3 hours | Distance: 10km | Walk Grade: Easy
There is a transfer up around 35 minutes to reach the trek starting location.
The walk is at an easy pace with a stop at 30 minutes into the trail, once we reach the terrace fields. The walk then continues to Cha long Village along a trail with forest shade. We reach Cha Long Village around midday and then return to Mai Chau by car. This afternoon, depart Mai Chau for Ninh Binh.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12
Ninh Binh
Start the day with the first sightseeing site, Hoa Lu, which was the initial capital of Vietnam. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers.
After a visit to Hoa Lu, depart for Tam Coc town, along the tour stops wherever guests wish to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape. On arrival in Tam Coc, board a private sampan. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to its other name, 'Halong on Land'.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13
Ninh Binh - Halong Bay
After breakfast, transfer to Halong to embark on an overnight Halong Bay cruise. Cruise among the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay while enjoying lunch. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea.
Meals: Breakfast at Hotel, Lunch & Dinner on board
DAY 14
Halong Bay - Hanoi
Start off your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with complimentary tea and coffee being served. Rejuvenate your body and mind with the slow movement of Tai Chi and enjoy the dawn on the bay. Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before preparing to check out. Disembark from the cruise at Tuan Chau International Marina.
Drive to Hanoi, check in hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast or Brunch on board
DAY 15
Hanoi Highlights
There's no arguing - Hanoi has to be the coolest city in Vietnam. And no, we're not just referring to the climate. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is a delicious mix of East and West. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage - the Temple of Literature is one of the oldest landmarks. More recent history can be seen in Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, while the man himself, lies embalmed in an austere mausoleum. There's picturesque lakes and parks, as well as museums and prominent colonial buildings. Let's jump right in and experience it all. We'll even go green and explore the Old Quarter by electric buggy.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 16
Hanoi / end
We have come to the final day of your tour! Touring services ended the evening prior. Make your own arrangements for transferring to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
