Vietnam Highlights Holiday

FLY FROM AUCKLAND TO HANOI

Fly from Auckland to Singapore with Singapore Airlines. (Other options are available).

Fly from Singapore to Hanoi with Singapore Airlines.

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

HANOI - FULL DAY TOUR

You will be collected from your hotel by your guide for this full day excursion in Hanoi.

Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries, with its narrow lanes and traditional shop houses.

Begin with an exploration of the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays - an alternative visit to the Vietnamese Women's Museum will be made instead).

This museum showcases art, traditional clothing and reconstructions of traditional longhouses from 54 different ethnic groups.

Afterwards head to the Temple of Literature with its walled courtyards and graceful gateways.

Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university.

Continue to visit Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country's 'Great Father'.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (viewed from the outside only) which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh; and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969.

Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows.

Also visit the miniature 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954.

In the late afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese coffee here.

Round off the day by taking the green electric buggy to Hanoi's Old Quarter.

HALONG BAY CRUISE

You will be collected from your hotel in Hanoi by your driver from Paradise Cruises at around 09:00 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 from Hanoi.

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

As the Paradise Luxury 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 CRUISE - FLY TO HOI AN

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 the airport for your onward flight.

Fly to Danang with Vietnam Airlines.

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

HOI AN - HALF DAY WALKING TOUR

Today’s tour will begin at 8:30 or at 14:00. Be charmed by Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns.

Meet with a knowledgeable local guide for this 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.

FLY TO SAIGON

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Hoi An.

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

Fly to Saigon with Vietnam Airlines.

On arrival in Saigon you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

SAIGON - FULL DAY TOUR

Today’s tour will begin at 07:30. After breakfast drive away from the city centre toward the Cu Chi district. Leaving the city behind, the scenery changes to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. 

Arrive at the entrance of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars.

Hear the tales of how these tunnels were built while walking through the forest. Visit two sections of the tunnel where it is possible to crawl inside to experience first-hand what life was like living underground. There are also several other informative displays and war relics around the area to explore.

After this morning’s Cu Chi Tunnels tour, return to the city centre in time for lunch. Then take a closer look at the city itself, starting at Reunification Hall.

This fascinating building, once known as the Presidential Palace, is filled with history. Hear the story of how, on 30 April 1975, North Vietnamese tanks seized the building as Saigon fell.

Continue to the Old Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, two colonial-style monuments with interesting pasts.

The final stop of the day is Ben Thanh market. Located in the heart of the city, this market is one of the liveliest in the area. Rub shoulders with the locals while browsing the countless stalls selling fruits, tea and dry goods.

Return to the hotel and reflect back upon this incredible day of history and local culture.

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 PHU QUOC - DAYS AT LEISURE

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Saigon.

Later, you will be collected from your hotel in and transferred to the airport by private car for your onward flight.

Fly to Phu Quoc with Vietnam Airlines.

On arrival in Phu Quoc you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Enjoy the days at leisure in Phu Quoc.

FLY TO AUCKLAND

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

Fly from Phu Quoc to Saigon with Vietnam Airlines.

Fly from Saigon to Singapore with Singapore Airlines.

Fly from Singapore to Auckland with Singapore Airlines.

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Arrive back in New Zealand.