Description
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our "Good Morning Vietnam" tour, departing from Melbourne or Sydney, a Ten day journey that begins in the vibrant city of Saigon and concludes in the thousand-year-old capital of Hanoi.
For departures from West Coast (Perth)
Please click HERE
This tour, in conjunction with our local supplier and Traveldream, offers a rich tapestry of experiences, seamlessly blending bustling city life with serene natural landscapes. Inclusive of return international economy class airfares from the East Coast of Australia, this trip promises to be a memorable exploration of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations.
In Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, you'll be immersed in the dynamic energy of Vietnam's largest and busiest metropolis. The optional motorbike tour presents a unique opportunity to experience the city like a local, weaving through its lively streets and discovering hidden gems that many tourists might miss. This thrilling ride provides a close-up view of Saigon’s vibrant culture, rich history, and delectable street food.
A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels will transport you back to a significant chapter in Vietnamese history. These tunnels, a former Viet Cong stronghold, offer an eye-opening insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people during the war. Walking through this subterranean network, you will gain a profound appreciation for the underground life and the extraordinary lengths taken to ensure survival and resistance.
As the journey continues, you'll step into the past with a visit to Hoi An. This ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beautifully preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Strolling through its narrow streets, you’ll be enchanted by the blend of different cultures reflected in its architecture, from wooden Chinese shophouses to French colonial buildings, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
From Hoi An, the tour takes you to the stunning natural beauty of Ha Long Bay. Here, thousands of limestone karsts and isles of various sizes and shapes rise from the emerald waters, creating an otherworldly seascape. Whether you choose to cruise Ha Long Bay or the slightly less frequented Lan Ha Bay, the experience will be equally mesmerizing, with opportunities to explore hidden grottoes and caves.
One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to Sun World Ba Na Hills, an expansive resort complex that combines the natural beauty of the mountains with man-made marvels. The famous Golden Bridge, held aloft by giant stone hands, offers breathtaking views and a perfect photo opportunity. The park also features a French Village, gardens, and amusement rides, making it a delightful experience for all ages.
Your journey concludes in Hanoi, the heart and soul of Vietnam. This city, with its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture influenced by Southeast Asia, China, and France, offers a stark contrast to the bustling energy of Saigon. Explore the Old Quarter, where narrow streets are named after the trades that were practiced there, and savor the tranquility of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Throughout the "Good Morning Vietnam" tour, you'll have ample private time to explore and discover a more authentic, unique side of Vietnam. This thoughtfully crafted itinerary ensures that while you experience the highlights and must-see attractions, you also have the freedom to delve deeper into the local culture, meet the friendly people, and enjoy the delectable cuisine at your own pace.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10
East Coast Australia Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Today you will check in and board your flight bound for Vietnam!
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon! Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), a tour guide will meet you and guide you to your driver for your transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day and evening is yours at leisure.
Meals: Inflight Menu
Accommodation: Alagon D'antique
Ho Chi Minh Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh
At 730AM your tour guide will welcome you at your hotel in District 1 before heading to My Tho city by bus. Enjoy the scenery and green rice paddies during the one-and-a-half-hour bus ride. Along the way, we will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in the Mekong Delta. Continue to My Tho, where we take a boat trip along the Mekong River, where you can see fish cages and floating houses on the river.
The boat takes you to a small canal, escaping the hustle and bustle of the town. We disembark at a coconut island in Ben Tre and enjoy a walk around the village. Stop at a local family home to enjoy tropical fruit, taste the honey tea and honey wine and listen to Vietnamese traditional music performed by the villagers. Check out the coconut candy shop and learn how to make candy, and see handicrafts made from coconuts.
Take your time snapping photos and enjoy the natural scenery before we head to the local restaurant. Lunch is set with special Vietnamese food. Enjoy your lunch outside under the shade of the trees. After lunch, enjoy your time relaxing, walking around the village, or perhaps going for a short bike ride. Travel back to Saigon and arrive around 5PM for the end of the tour. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Alternate Tour to the Cu Chi tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels is a legendary underground system of over 220 km of tunnels, a must-see for both Vietnamese and foreign travellers who are interested in the history of the Vietnam War. The tunnels are now a historical structure of Vietnam and considered a heroic district for the role they played in the resistance to US forces during the Vietnam War. The tunnels are located approximately 60km from Ho Chi Minh City. The tour departs at 8AM or 1245PM from Vietnam Adventure Tours office or from your hotel in District 1. Enjoy the scenery along the way, as we pass the lush, endless rice fields where you will see local ducks and water buffaloes swimming in the rivers. You might find it hard to imagine that once the area was almost destroyed by bombs and mines from the war, when Cu Chi was a “free target zone “.
Once we arrive, you will get a chance to walk through some of the tunnels, discover the hidden corners and imagine what life was like here for the resistance soldiers. If you like, try to cook with the smokeless stoves used by Vietnamese soldiers to cook during the war. You can even try foods that the soldiers lived on. If you’re feeling brave, or curious, you can even try your hand at shooting at AK-47, one of the guns used during the war.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Alagon D'antique
Ho Chi Minh
Today is a free day in Ho Chi Minh City!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Alagon D'antique
Ho Chi Minh Danang Hoi An
Flight time today will be between 11AM and 3PM. This morning, we will transfer you to the airport to take a flight to Danang. Upon arrival at Danang Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. The rest of the day and evening is yours at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hadana Boutique
Hoi An Bana Hills Hoi An
Breakfast this morning is at the hotel. At around 8AM our guide will pick you up at your hotel then depart to Ba Na hills.
Arrive at the cable car station. Sitting in the cabin, in mid-air, looking upon the endless tree line of the forest. Experiencing the pristine ecological system of the Ba Na Mountain will leave you with a sense of unforeseeable discovery. Visit the Le Jardin, old wineries - remains of French Villas and Linh Ung pagoda with 27m high Buddha statue. Leave Le Jardin for Gare Debay, the second cable car station, to go to the top of Ba Na. Visit and play games at the Fantasy Park- Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park- the third largest indoor amusement park in the world (only some free games depending on Ba Na policy).
1130AM: Have buffet lunch at the Restaurant.
After lunch, Conquer the Peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1,487m. Enjoy the panorama view of the Da Nang from the top of Ba Na Hills. And then visit Golden Bridge. Return to cable car station and transfer to Da Nang. Return to your hotel around 3PM. Enjoy a free afternoon for leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation:Hadana Boutique
Hoi An Danang Hanoi
Your flight today will be between 1130AM and 3PM.
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Check out and transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Hanoi. The local guide will welcome you at Noi Bai airport then transfer to Hanoi center. Check in and enjoy a free afternoon for leisure.
Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks. The city center is like an architectural museum, with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town from the 1930s.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Q
Hanoi Halong Bay
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Halong Bay – the number one destination in Vietnam!
Calypso Cruise (4 star)
1215PM – 1PM From Tuan Chau wharf, Tuan Chau island of Ha Long city, we go to Calypso Cruise by small boat. Welcome drinks will be served upon arrival on board, followed by your check-in process. You will then get a brief introduction and safety guidelines before making your way to your room.
Enjoy lunch while cruising in the magnificent Ha Long Bay, admiring the fascinating nature, then anchor at Lan Ha Bay area.
3PM Join a guide to explore hidden parts of the bay, the area of Dark and Bright cave where you will adventure through caves, under the mountain to a lake which is formed by a Karst – resembling a dragon eye inside the mountain. This is a highly sought after sight! You can share a sampan with other tourists with a local rower or take a kayak on your own.
Return to Calypso Cruises for free time to swim in the bay or in the swimming pool on the sundeck.
530PM Enjoy happy hours with various drinks at discounted prices. Take in the sun set from the sundeck.
6PM Take part in a cooking demonstration and food décor with our Chef.
7PM Join fellow passengers for dinner at Calypso Cruises Restaurant.
830PM – 10PM Relax after your adventurous day on the sundeck, leisure room where you can watch films, sing karaoke in the restaurant or try your luck in fishing for squid with the cruise staff.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Calypso Cruises
Halong Bay Hanoi
6AM Welcome a new day with an amazing sunrise on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin. Refresh your body & soul by taking a Tai-chi lesson on the sundeck.
645AM – 730AM Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant.
730AM – 830AM Join a guide and get your hands on some Kayaking to explore Tra Bau area. For those who do not fancy kayaking you can swim in the swimming pool on the sundeck or take another swim in the bay.
830AM – 930AM Return to Calypso Cruises for a shower and then check out of your room.
930AM – 1030AM Enjoy an early lunch onboard.
1045AM – 11AM After settling your onboard account, a small boat will take you to Tuan Chau wharf.
11AM – 1145AM Your Calypso Cruise ends at Tuan Chau wharf where you will be returned to Hanoi where the rest of the day is yours at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: The Q
Hanoi
After breakfast at the hotel, your time is free at leisure to explore the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Q
Hanoi East Coast Australia
Your final day starts with breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out. You will then be transferred to the airport for the departure flight to the next destination or back home.
Meals: Breakfast and Inflight Menu
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- International and Domestic flights as per the itinierary in Economy Class ex Melbourne and Sydney
- 9 nights accommodation in shared twin room with air-conditioning and private bathroom
- 2 day/1 night cruise in Ha Long (shared cabin on shared Cruise) with transfer by shuttle bus
- Private vehicle with air conditioning for airport transfers in Ho Chi Minh, Danang and Hanoi
- Local English-speaking guides
- Meals as stated in the program
- Tour to Mekong Delta or Cu Chi
- Drinking water and cold towels available on the vehicles
Exclusions
- Optional tours
- Surcharges for other language guides
- Surcharges for Lunar New Year (TET) holiday
- Travel Insurance
-
Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications,
postage, gratuities etc - Meals and services other than those mentioned in the program
- Drinks with meals
-
Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges will be
advised at the time of booking - Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program
-
Visa application and visa stamp fees at Vietnamese embassies overseas and/ or upon arrival
Visas: Australian passport holders need to apply for a visa to visit Vietnam. The visa-free stay period is counted from THE DATE OF ENTRY. Please apply E-Visa to Vietnam at least 15 days before the date of entry. Vietnam e-Visa validity is 90 days, with multiple entries.
Vietnam visas can be easily obtained online via this LINK.
Accommodation Upgrades: Available at check-out.
Single Supplement: Available at check-out.