Classic Vietnam Holiday

FLY TO SAIGON

Fly from Auckland to Sydney with Air New Zealand.

Fly from Sydney to Saigon with Vietnam Airlines.

On arrival in Saigon you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.

SAIGON - MORNING TOUR

Start today with a visit to the iconic Saigon Central Post Office built between 1886 and 1891. Based on the design of French architect Foulhoux, it is the creation of a unique vaulted ceiling with wrought iron beams and columns reminiscent of industrial architecture, which is now considered a symbol of Saigon and one of its most famous landmarks.

If he is available, stop for a chat with Mr. Duong, who enjoys local notoriety for his professional love-letter skills.

Walk along Dong Khoi street, formerly la rue Catinat and pay a visit to Gialong Palace – Ho Chi Minh City Museum for its beautiful architecture and listen to its history through times. Continue to ‘Le Loi Street’ to meet a local artisan who specialises in traditional engravings.

Next, stroll through the old central market (your vehicle will be available) before arriving at the city’s oldest colonial-era apartment, built in 1886, and see what the young creative Vietnamese are up to from their funky boutiques and coffee shops. Sit down at one of the stylish coffee shops and interact with a local resident who moved here in 1975.

Leave the compound and have a look at the building on the other side, which used to be ‘Banque de l’Indochine’ (Indochina Bank) during the 1920s. It’s a stunning example of the ‘Indochinois’ east/west fusion style of architecture that this area is known for.

After this last stop, head back to the hotel to freshen up.

SAIGON - AFTERNOON TOUR

Saigon was the scene of key military events that shaped the war during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

This afternoon experience offers insight into local revolutionaries and how they maintained a secret network across the city by visiting their secret hideouts.

You’ll also visit the Independence Palace to visit the ‘war room’ and see the monument of Thich Quang Duc, the Buddhist monk who immortalized himself, photographed by Malcome Brown in 1963.  

Once acquainted with your guide, hop aboard your vintage jeep and drive to a shophouse restaurant that played a significant role during Vietnam's ‘American war’ years.   

Next, drive past a shrine outside the US Consulate before heading to the Central Post Office again, this time for a view of the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuation took place in 1975. Discover more on the story behind the iconic “Fall of Saigon” photo taken that day by Hubert van Ess. 

Continue to perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace). It was here another iconic photo was taken; tanks crashing through the gates of what was an important  government building, signaling the end of the war. Now preserved as a museum and tourist attraction, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent lifestyle on display of former leaders is fascinating.  

Continue past the memorial of Thich Quang Duc, a monk who immortalized himself in protest against the persecution of Buddhists in Vietnam. End the tour at a former ‘revolutionary’ hideout, once the secret base operations of the Viet Cong now a museum with hidden tunnels.  

Visit the hideout, then sit for a refreshing drink whilst your guide explains the incredible story of this important house, including the failed attack on The Independence Palace during the Tet Offensive in 1968.

You'll have the chance to try a local rice dish that Korean soldiers put their culinary twist on, by adding kim chi. The jeep will then take you back to your hotel.

MEKONG DELTA - FULL DAY TOUR

Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Saigon behind on this Ben Tre day trip.

Following breakfast, drive south of the city to the Mekong Delta, a remarkable agricultural area referred to as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’.

On arrival in Ben Tre Province, board a local boat for a first glimpse of life on the Mekong Delta’s maze of waterways.

Cruise among the river islands which have whimsical names such as Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. En-route visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut – a material found in abundance in the Mekong region. Also, visit Turtle Island to explore an orchard and taste its fresh, tropical fruits.

Then switch gears and travel by horse-driven cart for a different perspective. Cruise along country roads to a lush garden. Taste the honey that is harvested by the residents and famous throughout Vietnam.

Return to the waterways, this time using a rowing boat. Taking advantage of this boat’s smaller size, cruise up narrow Xep canal which is set amongst a dense grove of palm trees.

Following this Delta adventure, return to land for lunch. Before returning to the big city, stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda. This massive Buddhist pagoda boasts impressive architecture and an incredible collection of statues, including a life-size jade image.

Return to Saigon late this afternoon, filled with fantastic memories of a day in the Delta.

FLY TO DANANG -  HOI AN - HALF DAY WALKING TOUR

After breakfast you will collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport.

Fly from Saigon to Danang with Vietnam Airlines.

On arrival in Danang you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An by private car.

This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel by a knowledgeable local guide for an introductory, half day Hoi An city tour, learning all about its illustrious past as a trading port.

Take a walk through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all over the world.

Make a stop at the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of two such bridges in Vietnam. The bridge spans a small waterway and was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Continue to a Chinese communal hall, a colourful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.

Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s famous handicraft shops, art galleries and the town’s vibrant market. Explore smaller laneways and local neighbourhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm. After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An, say farewell to the guide and return to the hotel.

HOI AN - DAY AT LEISURE

Enjoy the day at leisure in Hoi An.

HOI AN - FULL DAY COUNTRYSIDE TOUR

Head into the tranquil countryside for an unforgettable Hoi An cycling tour.

Discover unknown regions of Hoi An from ancient temples and water coconut forests to communal organic gardens- and help out with the labour!

Paddle to lunch in a traditional basket boat before being rewarded with a delicious local feast.

You will be collected from your hotel after breakfast. Transfer by road a short distance into the nearby countryside.

On arrival at a typical hamlet, hop on the bicycles to begin exploring the village. Cycle along the lush water-coconut forest, beyond tranquil ponds and green rice fields.

Take a break at Mr. Tien’s Temple - the initiator of the birds’ nests culture in this area. Spend time at Thanh Dong Organic farm - a 6,000 sq. m organic garden supporting 14 local families.

Learn about the rural lifestyle here and help out the farmers with their work, depending on the season, while learning more about local organic farming techniques in this area. Take a break at Mr. Meo’s house and listen to stories about the culture and history in this area.

Leaving the farm behind, a 20 minute ride in a traditional ‘basket boat’ along a small languid river takes guests to a special local restaurant situated in the middle of the rice paddy fields.

Here enjoy a break in the shade and a delicious Vietnamese lunch. Afterwards transfer back to Hoi An Ancient town or to selected hotel in Hoi An, arriving back at approximately 2:30 pm.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

TRANSFER TO HUE - AFTERNOON/EVENING FOOD TOUR

Today you will be collected from your hotel in Hoi An and transferred to your hotel in Hue by private car.

Hue’s cuisine is unique in Vietnam. As an imperial city, the everyday food of the commoners was significantly influenced by Royal cuisine. This evening, experience charming Hue city by night on cyclo and sample a delicious selection of Hue’s local cuisine.

The old imperial capital of Hue is popular not only for its attractive historical monuments of the Nguyen Dynasty but also for its richness in culture and cuisine.

This late afternoon, start the tour at 15:00 for a short transfer from the hotel to Toa Kham Pier and get ready for the experience today.

The first stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s iconic landmarks. Listen to the tour guide’s briefing on the list of street food to taste while travelling on a vintage cyclo. This is a great chance for visitors to get the best of Hue’s gastronomy and local culture! 

Visit hand-picked local family-run venues that serve the best authentic local foods. Immerse in a world of Hue specialties, including, ‘banh khoai’ – Hue sizzling pancake, sweet soups and variety of Hue cakes.

Full from this evening’s experience, take a leisurely ride on the cyclo back to the hotel at about 20:30.

FULL DAY TOUR IN HUE

Today’s tour will begin at 8:30. Kick off the Hue city day tour at the UNESCO-Heritage Imperial Citadel.

Roam the expansive grounds, hearing stories of the majestic buildings and the intriguing former emperors. Take a look at areas damaged by ancient and modern conflicts and learn of Hue’s role in Vietnam’s military history.

Continue by cyclo to discover the tranquil gardens and traditional buildings of the region, before arriving at Tran Dinh Son private museum with a collection of everyday items that past Kings have used. Learn how royal descendants are keeping the family’s traditions alive today.

The next stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s iconic landmarks. Discover the many unique spiritual and architectural elements of Thien Mu while touring the compound with the guide. Listen to fascinating stories about the pagoda’s 400-year history and enjoy views over the nearby Perfume River before heading to a local restaurant for lunch.

This afternoon, leave the city centre and travel through Hue’s beautiful countryside. Visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a Nguyen Dynasty ruler well known for his opposition to any French involvement in Vietnam.

Explore his remarkable tomb, admiring the imposing architecture and gorgeous forest setting while learning more about this historic leader. Continue to Khai Dinh’s tomb for a tour of this equally remarkable complex. Admire the blend of traditional Vietnamese design with European touches, which makes it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Continue the trip with a visit to An Dinh Palace, the private residence of Khai Dinh, Vietnam’s last emperor who ruled until 1955. It was built in 1917 with French architectural styles. After the war, the building was seriously damaged and it was recently restored as part of a German Government aid project. Get a chance to get an overview of life of a Royal family through the bedroom, entertainment rooms and library.

Before heading back to the hotel, take time to browse the stalls at Dong Ba Market. The market is teeming with colour and a great place to catch a glimpse of everyday life in modern Hue.

HUE - DAY AT LEISURE

Enjoy the day at leisure in Hue.

FLY TO HANOI - AFTERNOON TOUR

After breakfast you will collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport.

Fly from Danang to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines.

On arrival in Hanoi you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.

Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Hanoi.

Set off on a half day guided tour of Hanoi’s highlights. Dive right in with a visit to the Temple of Literature. Explore the incredible compound which was constructed in 1076. Hear stories of the buildings’ history, getting a glimpse into the times when it served as a university and temple.

Next up, a short drive away is the Ho Chi Minh complex.

See locals paying homage to this historic figure and ‘father’ of modern Vietnam. Take a short walk to his house on stilts, where he lived from 1958 to 1969.

Walk around the tranquil grounds, learning about Ho Chi Minh’s life and legacy. Turn into the One Pillar pagoda, built in 1049 - one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

Finish the excursion choosing one of 2 options as follows:

Option 1: a walk through the Old Quarter, learning about Vietnam’s traditional ways of life while crossing the maze of streets and lanes. Continue walking through busy Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Snap some photos and chat with the locals on the way.

Option 2: visit the Vietnam Women’s Museum. This highly acclaimed museum highlights the significant role women play in Vietnamese society.

HANOI - MORNING TOUR & EVENING FAMILY DINNER

Hanoi, visually eclectic and vibrant, is thrilling when viewed by an open-sided vintage military jeep. Fun for all ages, this unique form of transport shaped Vietnam’s history, both by US and Soviet influences.

Depart from your hotel by vintage jeep following a safety briefing. 

Start the Hanoi adventure by cruising local areas to witness local Hanoian’s way of life, in the maze of backstreets. Pass by local homes, schools, streetside markets and tiny alleyways where locals live, work and play.

Cruise by historic landmarks and city sights such as the Old Quarter, Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Huu Tiep lake, the monument of John MC Cain by Truc Bach Lake and An Duong market.

Continue to the Red River and onto an ‘island’ to explore a hidden gem, where you’ll see people farming and living, under the veil of the city. 

The final stop is Long Bien Bridge, a magnificent structure built over a hundred of years ago which spans the Red River.

Completed in 1902 by, once the longest bridge in Asia made famous once again, this time in the 1970’s during the ‘American war’ as countless bombing raids attempted to disrupt the bridge as a vital supply line.   

Along the way, take photos or selfies at any opportunity. The open door / top jeep will allow for many opportunities to take snaps. 

Wrap up the day with specialties of Hanoi: Egg coffee or a quintessential Hanoi dish; Bun Cha (pork noodles).

Discuss with your guide in advance, the best option for your day.

This evening, experience Hanoi the local way. Spend an evening in a family  home, sharing stories and learning about their life in the capital. Dine on traditional dishes prepared by the hosts and savor the authentic flavors of a home-cooked meal.

Today’s tour will begin at 18:30. Having seen the sights of Hanoi, it is time for a truly local experience. Travel to a residential neighborhood in the southwest of the city for a memorable night with a local family.

Tucked inside a maze of narrow laneways, arrive at a local house and be greeted by the friendly hosts. Over a cup of Vietnamese tea, chat with the family and hear about their lives both past and present. 

The family worked for the Vietnamese army during the Vietnam-America war and have fascinating stories to tell about that era. Hear about B-52 bombs dropped on their neighborhood during the war and how they persevered during the challenging years that followed. 

Then sit down for dinner. Enjoy a variety of home-cooked, local specialities while sitting at a modern style table. Unlike Hanoi’s tourist restaurants, the food served here explodes with flavor thanks to the traditional techniques used to prepare the dishes. 

After the meal,relaxing and chatting over a cup of tea before returning to the hotel.  

Notes: Specialty Vietnamese dishes will be cooked by the family, however vegetarian/non seafood requests must be communicated in advance, pre arrival to Vietnam.  

NINH BINH

This program takes one to the beautiful ancient capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu and to Tam Coc, for a sampan cruise through picturesque landscapes.

Depart from your hotel early for the 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu.

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 km.

Afterwards, if time permits, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills. The climb is rewarding with spectacular views.

Next, travel to Tam Coc, for a Vietnamese lunch.  Stop en route to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape.

After lunch board a private sampan* (see options for Tam Coc sampan trip below). As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to this area’s other name, 'Halong on Land'.

For the adventurous, climb up to Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain.  This pagoda is comprised of three structures dating to 1428: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas, in ascending order.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

HALONG BAY

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the check-in centre on Tuan Chau Island, arriving around 11:30. Here you will have some time to freshen up after the drive.

At around 12:30, transfer to your Paradise Cruise, where you will be checked-in and shown to the restaurant. Enjoy a welcome drink whilst being briefed about your cruise.

As the Paradise Cruise makes its way to Halong Bay, you will have time to enjoy lunch while admiring the stunning views - your first introduction to this majestic landscape.

After lunch, you will have time to enjoy the stunning landscape of Halong Bay. If the first stop isn’t for you, you can opt for an afternoon of pampering and indulgence at Le Parfum Spa (not included).

Your first excursion is a visit to Tung Sau Pearl Farm, an area of Halong Bay dedicated to cultivating pearls and practicing a handmade technique based on Vietnamese tradition and Japanese technology. This is also an ideal destination for kayaking. If this excursion doesn’t take your fancy, stay on board and treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea.

At around 4 pm  reach Soi Sim Island where you can hike to the top for a panoramic view of the Bay. After your hike, go for a refreshing swim in Halong Bay’s emerald waters if you wish.

Paradise Luxury will anchor overnight at Coconut Tree Island. This is the perfect time to enjoy a cocktail or two as the sun sets over the karst landscape. Enjoy the Vietnamese cooking demonstration if you wish.

At 19:30, dress like kings and queens for the Royal Bao Dai dinner at the restaurant.

The rest of the evening is free for you to relax with a drink or two, go squid fishing, book in for a spa treatment at Le Parfum Spa or watch a movie in the restaurant.

HALONG BAY - HANOI

Welcome your second day on board Paradise Luxury with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises, followed by a light breakfast in the restaurant.

At 07:30  you can visit magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you will be surprised by the breathtaking panoramic view across the Bay once you exit the cave.

This is the largest cave in Halong Bay, and the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years have taken on fascinating shapes.

Back on board, you can opt for your breakfast to be served in the restaurant or your cabin.

Paradise Luxury will pass Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves and Fighting Cocks Islet before you settle your bill, check-out and return to Tuan Chau Island.

After disembarking from Paradise Luxury, you will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.

This afternoon, make your own way to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre which is conveniently located close to Hanoi's old Quarter.

Enjoy an afternoon performance of the famous Water Puppets at Thang Long Theatre, with seats in the first 4 rows.

The performance starts at 16:10 and lasts about 50 minutes.

FLY TO AUCKLAND

You will be collected from your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to the airport by private car for your onward flight.

Fly from Hanoi to Melbourne with Vietnam Airlines.

Fly from Melbourne to Auckland with Air New Zealand.

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Arrive in Auckland.