National Geographic Journeys
Vietnam
Group / Max 16
Group Tour
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City–13 Days
Begin in Hanoi, where you'll be welcomed into a vibrant blend of historical and modern Vietnam. Venture next to the serene Mai Chau Valley, with options to kayak or cycle through its picturesque landscape. Delight in local interactions and discover rustic markets and traditional meals in the valley.
Return to Hanoi to explore significant historical sites, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison. Embark on a mesmerising cruise in Ha Long Bay aboard a traditional junk boat, navigating through majestic limestone formations. The journey then leads you to Hue to uncover its imperial heritage, followed by a visit to the charming UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An, rich in culture and history. The final leg of your adventure brings you to the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City and the historical Cu Chi tunnels, offering a profound glimpse into Vietnam's past before concluding in this dynamic metropolis.
ENCHANTING HA LONG BAY CRUISE: Embark on a serene cruise through Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its spectacular limestone karsts and emerald waters. Stay overnight on a traditional junk boat, exploring less-travelled areas like Bai Tu Long Bay and discovering hidden caves, all while experiencing the tranquillity of this natural wonder.
CULTURAL IMMERSION IN HOI AN: Dive into the rich culture of Hoi An, a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site. Participate in a noodle-making workshop with Oodles of Noodles, a program supporting local youth. Wander through Hoi An’s charming streets, adorned with colourful lanterns, and engage in a lantern-making workshop, creating a symbol of luck and happiness.
HISTORICAL HUẾ EXPLORATION: Discover the imperial splendours of Huế, including the formidable walled citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Experience a traditional vegetarian lunch at a Buddhist nunnery and explore the elegant tombs of Vietnam's emperors along the Perfume River, delving into the rich history of this former capital.
The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition. a
National Geographic Journeys
Light
Casual
Explore Vietnam's rich tapestry, from Mai Chau Valley's greenery to Ha Long Bay's shimmering waters. Traverse historic Huế and Hoi An's UNESCO sites, cycle through rural landscapes, and navigate Hanoi's vibrant streets by cyclo. Delve into the Cu Chi tunnels' war history, blending exploration, learning, and enchantment.
Begin your adventure at your leisure, with arrival transfer included for your convenience.
Accommodations: Golden Silk Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Venture into the greenery of Mai Chau Valley, a blend of terraced rice fields, verdant hills, and quaint traditional hamlets. Opt for a kayak adventure on the majestic Hoa Binh reservoir, Vietnam's largest, or cycle through the lush landscapes, soaking in the scenic beauty and getting a taste of local living. Optional Activities: Cycling Mai Châu, Kayaking
Meals Included: Breakfast
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the valley. Embark on a leisurely walk through the tranquil countryside, understanding the regional tribes and customs, and visit a rustic market for a unique fruit sampling. Choose to experience a genuine country meal at a village abode. Optional Activities: Mai Chau Village home meal
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey back to Hanoi and delve into the vibrant life of the Vietnamese capital with a guided exploration. Visit the resting place of Ho Chi Minh, an influential political figure in Vietnam's history, and gain more insights into his life at the Presidential Palace, a colonial-style edifice. Discover Vietnam War history at the Hoa Lo Prison, infamous among American POWs, and embark on an exciting cyclo ride, a three-wheel bicycle taxi, through the vibrant Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Optional Activities: Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour, Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Golden Silk Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Start your day with breakfast at Hoa Sua, a social enterprise restaurant dedicated to empowering underprivileged Hanoi youths. Afterward, make your way to Ha Long Bay, a spectacle of myriad limestone islands emerging from calm, azure waters. Settle into your traditional-style wooden junk boat cabin, our home for the night, and embark on a tranquil cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, a less-travelled segment of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Glide past the bay's awe-inspiring karst formations, and explore the intriguing Me Cung cave guided by a local expert. Optional Activities: Kayaking
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Halong Boat NatGEO (WET) (or similar)
Relish an early lunch aboard the boat before setting foot on land and heading back to Hanoi. From there, take a brief flight to Huế. Once Vietnam's imperial capital, this World Heritage city is rich in architectural wonders and was a significant site during the Vietnam War.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Embark on a guided exploration of Huế's formidable walled citadel, revealing opulent palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Uncover the mysteries of the Forbidden Purple City, the erstwhile private living quarters of the imperial family, and journey into the countryside to witness the grandeur of Vietnam's emperor tombs set along the Perfume River. Visit a Buddhist nunnery and indulge in a serene, traditional vegetarian lunch.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, drive to Hoi An, a strikingly preserved river port and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander through the narrow, meandering streets of the old town, replete with charming merchants' houses and adorned with vibrant silk lanterns. Try your hand at crafting a lantern of your own—a symbol of fortune, affluence, and joy—and depart with a beautiful keepsake. This afternoon, choose to visit a local tailor and have a shirt custom-made for you.
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, join the guides from Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures–backed program that trains local youth in culinary arts. Savour a multitude of noodle varieties and select fresh ingredients at a local market. Bring your groceries to the Oodles of Noodles training kitchen where you'll master the art of preparing delicious noodle dishes and savour your creations for lunch.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Spend your day discovering the captivating Hoi An and its surroundings. Choose to venture to the World Heritage-listed My Son, an assortment of moss-draped Hindu temples from the 4th to 13th centuries. Alternatively, head to the nearby Cua Dai beach, or unwind at your hotel's pool. Optional Activities: Cua Dai Beach, Mỹ Sơn Excursion, Sunset Boat Ride On River, Thu Bon River Boat Trip
Meals Included: Breakfast
Catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once known as Saigon. Engage with this bustling city—Vietnam’s economic hub—through a variety of optional activities. Discover the city on a cyclo tour, visiting iconic places like the Notre Dame Cathedral, the elaborate Central Post Office, and City Hall. Visit the War Remnants Museum, a potent testament to the Vietnam War's atrocities; or tour the Reunification Palace, the symbolic site of the war's end. Optional Activities: Dam Sen Water Park Visit, Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Tour, Reunification Palace Visit, War Remnants Museum Visit
Meals Included: Breakfast
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Journey to the iconic Cu Chi tunnels, an intricate underground network that served as a base for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Explore subterranean hospitals and ammunition stores, and understand the vital role these tunnels played in the eventual triumph of the North.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your adventure concludes, and you're free to depart at any time.
Meals Included: Breakfast
This tour is provided through a partnership between National Geographic Expedition and G Adventures, merging enjoyable, interactive exploration with significant interactions with diverse cultures and individuals. It offers a blend of leisure, options, and activities, all while ensuring the organized and safe experience of traveling in a small group.
Age Requirement: 12+
All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
What can you expect when you travel on this tour?
A dedicated Chief Experience Officer and knowledgeable local guides
A group of usually 16 or fewer Travelers
Comfortable and convenient accommodations in each destination
Included activities as indicated in itineraries
Optional activities may be available for an additional cost as indicated in itineraries
Opportunities for on-your-own exploration as indicated in itineraries
Included meals as per itineraries
100% guaranteed departures
Roommate match for Solo Travelers at no additional fee
My Own Room option for Solo Travelers wanting their own room (additional fee applies)
Date
Nov 10-Nov 22, 2024 Sold outPrices From
Sold outShip
Sold outPrices are per person, based on double or single occupancy (unless otherwise noted) and do not include international airfare to/from your destination. All prices and fares are quoted in US dollars and subject to change. See the terms and conditions for this trip for more information.
EXPERIENCES
TRAVEL INSURANCE
A minimum level of medical and emergency travel insurance is required in order to travel with National Geographic Journeys. Details are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and you will not be permitted to join the group until you have provided evidence of adequate travel insurance. Please read the trip details to learn more about recommended policy options.
MY OWN ROOM
During your trip, sometimes it's just more convenient and comfortable to have your own room. That's why we offer the My Own Room option - a single room all to yourself.
My Own Room: FROM £649.00
The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition.
The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition.
