Classic Vietnam
Explore the Land of the Blue Dragon
Following a tumultuous past, Vietnam has blossomed into a veritable feast for all five senses. From fragrant, delicately spiced bowls of noodle soup in Hanoi to perfectly preserved imperial cities in Hue, Vietnam's wonders are waiting to be explored.
What's Included
- Roundtrip economy class airfare into Saigon (SGN), out of Hanoi (HAN)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 2 nights in Saigon at Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa, or similar
- Full-day sightseeing tour of Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
- One-way economy class flight from Saigon (SGN) to Da Nang (DAD)
- 2 nights in Hoi An at Hoi An Beach Hotel, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River
- Sightseeing tour in Danang (en-route from Hoi An to Hue)
- 2 nights in Hue at the Eldora Hotel, or similar
- Excursion to Thuy Bien Village
- Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda (2 hours)
- Sightseeing tour of Old Imperial City in Hue
- One-way, economy class flight from Hue (HUI) to Hanoi (HAN)
- 1 night in Halong at Halong Plaza Hotel, or similar
- Private, half-day boat tour through Halong Bay with lunch
- Sightseeing at But Thap Pagoda (en-route from Halong to Hanoi)
- 2 nights in Hanoi at the May De Ville City Centre Hotel, or similar
- Full day sightseeing tour of Hanoi with water puppet show*
- Breakfast daily
*Please note: The Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Friday and under annual renovation during Fridays and from 15 June to 15 August. In addition, the Museum of Ethnolgy is closed on Mondays and Vietnamese Holidays.
Great Ways to Explore
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Cruise past the colossal limestone rock formations in Halong Bay in a traditional wooden boat.
- Stroll across the covered Japanese bridge in historic and charming Hoi An on Vietnam's central coast.
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Get a glimpse of Vietnamese royalty in the city of Hue, home to the 19th-century walled Imperial Citadel.
-
Learn about the devastating effects of the Vietnam War and how the country rebuilt at Saigon's War Remnants Museum.
-
Slurp and savor a steaming bowl of bun cha in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi.
Legendary street food, untouched natural beauty, ancient imperial cities...Vietnam has everything you could want in a Southeast Asia vacation! According to Vietnamese mythology, the Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon and a fairy, hence Vietnam's nickname the "Land of the Blue Dragon." Explore this mythical and magical country on a 9-night tour from Saigon to Hanoi.
Start your journey in Vietnam's largest city Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a full-day sightseeing city tour with stops at the historic center, Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and Chinatown. Then it's off to Hoi An, Vietnam's most picturesque city on the central coast. Enjoy a boat tour on the Thu Bon River as you pass temples, historic bridges, and markets bustling with activity.
You'll then drive to Hue in central Vietnam, known as the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty up until 1945. Enjoy excursions to Thuy Bien Village and Thien Mu Pagoda. From Hue, fly to your next destination in Halong. Cruise along the UNESCO-certified Halong Bay in a traditional wooden boat known as a junk!
End your vacation in the capital of Hanoi, where you will enjoy a full-day tour of the city ending with a traditional water puppet show. Slurp a bowl of spicy and savory pho soup then bid the country goodbye!
Helpful links for travel to Vietnam:
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Roundtrip economy class airfare into Saigon (SGN), out of Hanoi (HAN)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 2 nights in Saigon at Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa, or similar
- Full-day sightseeing tour of Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
- One-way economy class flight from Saigon (SGN) to Da Nang (DAD)
- 2 nights in Hoi An at Hoi An Beach Hotel, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River
- Sightseeing tour in Danang (en-route from Hoi An to Hue)
- 2 nights in Hue at the Eldora Hotel, or similar
- Excursion to Thuy Bien Village
- Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda (2 hours)
- Sightseeing tour of Old Imperial City in Hue
- One-way, economy class flight from Hue (HUI) to Hanoi (HAN)
- 1 night in Halong at Halong Plaza Hotel, or similar
- Private, half-day boat tour through Halong Bay with lunch
- Sightseeing at But Thap Pagoda (en-route from Halong to Hanoi)
- 2 nights in Hanoi at the May De Ville City Centre Hotel, or similar
- Full day sightseeing tour of Hanoi with water puppet show*
- Breakfast daily
*Please note: The Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Friday and under annual renovation during Fridays and from 15 June to 15 August. In addition, the Museum of Ethnolgy is closed on Mondays and Vietnamese Holidays.
-
Cruise past the colossal limestone rock formations in Halong Bay in a traditional wooden boat.
- Stroll across the covered Japanese bridge in historic and charming Hoi An on Vietnam's central coast.
-
Get a glimpse of Vietnamese royalty in the city of Hue, home to the 19th-century walled Imperial Citadel.
-
Learn about the devastating effects of the Vietnam War and how the country rebuilt at Saigon's War Remnants Museum.
-
Slurp and savor a steaming bowl of bun cha in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi.
Legendary street food, untouched natural beauty, ancient imperial cities...Vietnam has everything you could want in a Southeast Asia vacation! According to Vietnamese mythology, the Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon and a fairy, hence Vietnam's nickname the "Land of the Blue Dragon." Explore this mythical and magical country on a 9-night tour from Saigon to Hanoi.
Start your journey in Vietnam's largest city Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a full-day sightseeing city tour with stops at the historic center, Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and Chinatown. Then it's off to Hoi An, Vietnam's most picturesque city on the central coast. Enjoy a boat tour on the Thu Bon River as you pass temples, historic bridges, and markets bustling with activity.
You'll then drive to Hue in central Vietnam, known as the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty up until 1945. Enjoy excursions to Thuy Bien Village and Thien Mu Pagoda. From Hue, fly to your next destination in Halong. Cruise along the UNESCO-certified Halong Bay in a traditional wooden boat known as a junk!
End your vacation in the capital of Hanoi, where you will enjoy a full-day tour of the city ending with a traditional water puppet show. Slurp a bowl of spicy and savory pho soup then bid the country goodbye!
Helpful links for travel to Vietnam:
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Departure Airport:
Departure Month:
Prices From:
Day 1. Welcome to Saigon!
Say hello to Vietnam! Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you will meet with a guide carrying an ICS Travel Group sign with your name. Your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.Â
Transfer to your hotel in Saigon and spend the rest of the day at leisure. A vibrant metropolis, Saigon teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you will see the convergence of traditional and modern life.
Transfer to Saigon hotel
Check-in - Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa
The Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa unifies the elements of a comfortable hotel with the serene atmosphere of a luxury spa. Guests can enjoy access to an enormous selection of
spa services including various massages, facials, a
steam room, sauna, and more. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool
with an overhead fountain that features outstanding views of the
surrounding area. Other amenities include a poolside bar, fitness center, ticket/tour desk,
and laundry services.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel in addition to multiple seating areas. Guest rooms are modernized with a sleek design, each of which feature a private bathroom, work desk, free minibar, and flat-screen TV.
The hotel's on-site Sky Restaurant offers spectacular views of the city while serving delicious local and international cuisine. There is also the chic H Lounge which offers a lavish atmosphere with signature cocktails, as well as Luxury High Tea and a Pool Bar.
A wonderful location makes the Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa a great place to stay. The Saigon River Tunnel, Vietnam History Museum, Museum of Ho Chi Minh City Zoo, and Botanical Garden Ho Chi Minh are all under three miles away. The Ben Thanh Market and Tao Dan Park are also within close walking distance. Additionally, the hotel has a paid parking garage which makes it easy to park your car and explore the surrounding area by foot or public transport.
Day 2. Saigon
Today you will explore the must-see sites in Saigon on a full-day tour! Begin the day in Saigon's historic center as you pass relics of French rule, then head to Reunification Palace, home to the sobering War Remnants Museum. End the day in Chinatown (Cholon), a feast for your eyes and nose!
Full-day sightseeing tour of Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
Begin your Saigon city tour in the historic center on Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks like the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville) and the old Opera House, then pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.
From the old town, dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s-eras building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. Unmissable are the original tanks that remain on display near the entrance gates.
Continue to the powerful War Remnants Museum, which comprehensively documents the travails of the 18-year-long Vietnam War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons.Then visit the Emperor of Jade Pagoda, one of Saigon's most interesting pagodas.
In the afternoon, head out to Cholon (Chinatown). Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a walking tour from Tran Hung Dao Street through Nguyen Trai and Soai Kinh Lam market (cloth wholesale market), visit Cha Tam Church. Continue to Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. End the tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts guaranteed to awaken your senses.
Day 3. Saigon - Hoi An
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Once you arrive, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Transfer to Saigon Airport
Fly to Da Nang Airport (DAD)
Transfer to Hoi An hotel
Check-in - Hoi An Beach Resort
The luxe Hoi An Beach Resort is built in a traditional Vietnamese village style located right between De Vong River and Cua Dai beach. Equipped with 121 deluxe and grand deluxe rooms, this resort offers guests a variety of amenities including two pristine swimming pools, a fitness center, beauty salon, and children's playground. There is also the Water Lily Spa which features traditional Vietnamese treatments.
Comfortable guest rooms feature a flat-screen TV, minibar, coffee/tea-maker, safe, and more. Some also include a balcony and/or gorgeous views of the mountains and surrounding areas. Visitors can dine on-site at the two delicious restaurants or enjoy handcrafted cocktails at the hotel's upscale bars. Daily activities at the resort include cooking classes, billiards, and seafood barbecue parties on the beach.
Just a short walk away from the resort is the Cua Dai and An Bang Beaches, as well as the Hoi An Night Market. The Hoi An town center is 2.5 miles away, while the Da Nang International Airport is 47 minutes away.
Day 4. Hoi An
Today you will tour Hoi An, an exquisitely preserved merchant town that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Wander its charming cobblestone streets as you admire its colorful houses and temples. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride down the Thu Bon River.
Sightseeing Tour of Hoi An with Thu Bon River Boat Trip
Tour the merchant town of Hoi An with its colorful shop houses and temples dating back to the 16th and 17th century when it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and is best explored on foot. Wander through the cobbled streets as you pass low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central market, and the small harbor where colorful boats are docked.
The walking tour includes a visit to a private house where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting. See one of the family chapels built by prominent merchants and official families as centers for ancestor worship. Continue to Sa Huynh Museum, located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, containing exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Visit a handicraft workshop where local products are being made by the industry itself.
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 river. In the afternoon, cruise down the Thu Bon River by boat, enjoying the unspoiled countryside and stopping to visit a pottery and woodcarving village before returning to Hoi An harbor.
Day 5. Hoi An - Hue
Today you will travel from Hoi An to Hue, stopping in the city of Danang along the way. As Vietnam's third largest city, Danang is quickly becoming a popular destination for its beaches, mountains, and resorts.
Transfer to Hue
Check-in - Eldora Hotel
Featuring an indoor swimming pool, elegant restaurant, and spa, the Eldora Hotel is a wonderful 4-star hotel in Hue City. It's within close walking distance to the Huong River, Dinh Palace, Trang Tien Bridge, and other landmarks.
The hotel features an on-site restaurant that serves local Vietnamese cuisine along with other international dishes. There is also the Skyline Bar located on the highest floor of the hotel which offers stunning panoramic views of the city. Additionally, there is a Coffee Lounge in the reception area perfect for coffee, tea, and other drinks. 24-hour room service is available as well.
All rooms are comfortably decorated with lavish furnishing. They come with a flat-screen TV, minibar, coffee/tea-maker, and more. Other services at the hotel include bicycle rentals, a fitness center, currency exchange, and a 24-hour reception.
Sightseeing tour in Danang
From Hoi An, drive north stopping just outside Danang to visit the Marble Mountains. The five stone mountains are said to represent each of the five elements of the universe: fire, metal, wood, earth, and water.
Continue to the city of Danang, briefly passing Non Nuoc Beach, a famous surf spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Tour the Cham Museum, an elegant colonial building housing the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. Then travel north past Lang Co, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the East Vietnam Sea, before arriving in Danang.
Drive along steep mountainous roads with spectacular views of the coastline as you cross the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and South Vietnam.
Day 6. Hue
Begin the day with a boat cruise on the Perfume River to Thuy Bieu Village, where you will enjoy a walking or bike tour in the village. Later in the day, take another boat to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's most recognizable monument.
Excursion to Thuy Bieu Village
Embark on a boat at Toa Kham wharf and cruise along on Perfume River. Make a stop at the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, then continue on to Thuy Bieu Village where you will walk or bike around the village. Visit a garden house, an ancient ancestral temple, and chat with local people. Visit families making incense or joss paper and learn more about the traditions of the village folk. Bathe your feet in medicinal herb water, a traditional therapeutic given by blind people.
Day 7. Hue - Hanoi - Halong
Before departing Hue, visit the Imperial Citadel, providing a fascinating look into court life during the Nguyen dynasty. Transfer to Hue airport for your flight to Hanoi where you will then transfer by vehicle to Halong.
Transfer to Hue Airport
Fly to Hanoi (HAN)
Transfer to Halong hotel
Check-in - HaLong Plaza Hotel
Halong Plaza Hotel is a 4-star hotel in Halong City right near Halong Bay, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular places to visit in Vietnam. The hotel has everything to offer for a relaxing stay including an on-site restaurant that serves Vietnamese, Japanese, Western, and Thai cuisine. There is also The French Bakery which offers all kinds of sweet pastries and French Breads, as well as La Plaza Bar & Lounge where guests can enjoy craft beverages and snacks.
Guest have access to the hotel's beautiful outdoor swimming pool, spa facilities, and fully-equipped gym. There is also a tour desk and business center.
Guest rooms are designed with a modern and luxurious feel, most with beautiful views of Halog Bay or the Bai Chay Bridge. Rooms also include a private bathroom with a bathtub and separate walk in shower, slippers, a minibar, air-conditioning, and television.Â
Aside from being so close to the beautiful bay, the hotel is just three miles away from Bai Chay Beach and Vinhomes Dragon Bay. The closest airport to the hotel is Cat Bi International Airport, which is about 24 miles away.
Sightseeing Tour of the Old Imperial City in Hue
Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial City, a vast walled complex built in the early 19th-century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched over a mile and were surrounded by a wide moat. While most of the buildings were destroyed during the Vietnam War, the remaining monuments provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking Flag Tower, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure.
Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho palace) where the Queen mother lived. Visit Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of the Mandarins, the original Nine Dynastic Urns, the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, and more.
Day 8. Halong - Hanoi
Board a wooden boat (also called a junk) for a private, half-day tour along the stunning Halong Bay. Gaze upwards at the massive limestone rock formations jutting out of the sea!
Later you will transfer to Hanoi, stopping en route to But Thrap Pagoda.
Transfer to Hanoi
Check-in - May De Ville City Center Hotel
Relax in the home-like atmosphere of the May De Ville City Centre Hotel. Designed like an antique French villa and accented with traditional Vietnamese materials, these spacious accommodations will help you seize each relaxing moment in romantic surroundings. Visit the multi-function room to relax in the Jacuzzi or enjoy an aromatic massage with natural herbs and organic essential oils. Sink your teeth into the masterful gastronomy of Paddy Restaurant and Sunset Bar's experienced chefs or sip a refreshing cocktail on the balcony overlooking the city. Ideally located to explore the city, this hotel is well-equipped to provide peerless services and satisfying amenities during your stay.Â
Half-Day Boat Tour Through Halong Bay With Lunch
Board a traditional wooden junk and begin cruising through the beautiful Halong Bay. Enjoy lunch while passing interesting rock formations including Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong) and Fighting Cock (Ga Choi). Visit one of the caves in the centre of the islands such as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto). Cruise back to Halong Pier and disembark.
Sightseeing at But Thap Pagoda
From Halong to Hanoi, stop en route at But Thap Pagoda (Ninh Phuc Pagoda), one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam. Famous for its four-story stone stupa dedicated to the monk Chuyet Chuyet, the pagoda was rebuilt in the 17th-and 18th-centuries and remains a classic symbol of Buddhist architecture.
Day 9. Hanoi
Spend a day sightseeing in Hanoi, Vietnam's modern-day capital. Tour the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, the Museum of Ethnology, and the city's old quarter. End the day with a water puppet show.
Hanoi Sightseeing Tour (full-day)
Explore the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, a picturesque city nicknamed the "Paris of the East." Tree-lined boulevards and colonial architecture give the city an air of elegance while narrow lanes and traditional shop houses make it distinctly Vietnam.
Begin by visiting The Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Also the site of Vietnam's first university, the grounds have a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways that are perfect examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. In one courtyard, giant stone tortoises bear stele on their backs, listing the accomplishments of graduating scholars.
Then stroll through the park to the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 to his death 1969. The bare bones two-room home has been preserved in the same condition as during his life, and can be viewed through the windows. Continue to the miniature 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, rebuilt after being destroyed by the French army in 1954.
Next, go on a sightseeing tour of Hanoi city center by electric car followed by a walk through the old quarter. Enjoy a 35-minute ride through the city, a blend of long established traditions and modern imprints of Western colonization. See Quan Su Pagoda, Silk Road, Hanoi Railway Station, Hoa Lo Prison, and Hanoi Opera House as you zip through tree-lined boulevards and narrow lanes brimming with daily life. Get off the electric car and take a 25-minute walk in Hanoi's Old Quarter also known as Hoan Kiem District.
Day 10. Depart Vietnam
It's departure day! Transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight home.
Transfer to Hanoi airport (HAN)
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
Advertised vacation package prices are per person based on two people traveling together, unless otherwise noted. Advertised package rates are based on select departures as noted on the booking calendar above, were available via the Wedding Day Diamonds Honeymoons website and may not represent current prices.
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Escorted vacation packages are per person based on two travelers (unless otherwise specified), and typically include hotel accommodations; transportation with professional driver/guide; sightseeing as listed, some meals, local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage of one (1) suitcase per person, due to limited capacity on motor coaches. Space is limited and prices may be restricted to certain travel dates, length of stay or room type. Driver and guide gratuities are not included, and are at the discretion of the traveler. Terms and conditions apply. Minimum child ages and handicapped traveler restrictions may apply on escorted tours; please call for details.
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