Vietnam is a country of contrasts. A rich colonial history dominates its cities, sitting side-by-side with scenes that characterise the spirit of Southeast Asia. The countryside is a stunning portrait of varied landscapes, from the waterways leading to the South China Sea to terraced green paddy fields with the hilly central highlands in between.

To fully appreciate the region, this tour has been designed to accommodate everything that makes Vietnam special, giving you time to stay in the country's finest accommodation, both on land and water, whilst admiring the wealth of unique and vibrant sites on offer.

You will be introduced to the country in Ho Chi Minh City, the dynamic heart of Vietnam, where French colonial buildings line wide and elegant boulevards with a wealth of items on sale. Continuing to the Mekong Delta, see the vibrant lifestyle of the region's people where arroyos, islands, fish farms, and tropical fruit are abundant.

My Son, Tra Kieu and the remains of the Cham Kingdom, which, centuries ago, stretched over what is now Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are also included. From here take a scenic drive over the Pass of Ocean Clouds to the former capital Hue, home to imperial dynasties, tombs, pagodas and temples.

Fly to the country's cultural capital, Hanoi, with its many charming lakes and surrounding traditional handicraft villages, before discovering Hoa Lu, the "Halong on Land". The charm of Sapa - next to China's border - is the finest place to explore Vietnam's beautiful mountainous countryside and is also home to numerous traditional ethnic groups.

End your tour with a cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area of Halong Bay, where limestone cliffs and islands rise from the emerald blue water, making it the perfect place to finish your memorable journey with us.

Absolute Vietnam Tour Map

Arrive in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, where your Exotissimo tour guide will accompany you from the airport to your hotel. The rest of the day you are free to enjoy at your leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

A full day tour of the city begins at Cholon, the Chinatown district, with a visit to the Thien Hau Temple before continuing to the FITO Museum, Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum. Head back to the city center to visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. See the incredible display of fresh produce on offer and enjoy the eclectic array of goods that are on sale. After lunch, visit the War Remnants or History Museum and the former Presidential Palace. Visit major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City and head back to your hotel at the end of the tour.

Note: History Museum and FITO Museum are closed on Mondays.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province in the west of Vietnam to visit the Cao Dai Great Temple. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the struggle for independence. You will return to Ho Chi Minh City later in the afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City for the Mekong Delta town of Cai Be, where you will board a boat for a tour of the Delta. Proceed to Cai Be floating market and observe the lively atmosphere on the water. After visiting the market continue to a cottage factory where 'pop-rice', rice paper and coconut candies are made. Then head to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, enjoy lunch then head back to the pier for the drive to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City's domestic airport for your flight to Dalat. Established as a hill station at the beginning of the century, Dalat's French chalets and pine forests are more reminiscent of an alpine village than a town in Southeast Asia. An afternoon of sightseeing in Dalat takes in the art deco former summer residence of Emperor Bao Dai, the old Dalat Railway Station, Xuan Huong Lake, the Central Market and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where a Buddhist monk, Vien Thuc, produces abstract paintings and writes poetry.

Overnight in Dalat.

Leaving for Nha Trang after breakfast, travel through vivid green rice fields and salt ponds to Nha Trang, where an afternoon tour of the city includes the Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue. The city tour continues with visits to the Alexander Yersin Museum, the 'XQ' workshop where exquisite handmade embroideries can be seen and the highly colorful Dam Market. 

Overnight in Nha Trang.  

A morning boat trip on Nha Trang Bay visits some of the nearby islands where you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters. After a fresh seafood lunch on Bamboo Island, return to shore. In the afternoon, explore Nha Trang at your own pace.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Transfer to Nha Trang's domestic airport for your flight to Danang. From here transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries with a relaxed lifestyle that has changed little over the years.

In the afternoon, take a tour of the ancient town centre to visit the homes of former merchants, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the exotic local market.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Today there is a half day trip to the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Set in a lush green valley, dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries provide a breathtaking site.

On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, that once stood as the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. On returning to Hoi An, the afternoon is free to relax, browse for souvenirs in art galleries and silk shops, or maybe cycle to the nearby Cua Dai Beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Leave Hoi An for Hue by road, passing through Danang where you will visit the Cham museum, which holds the finest collection of Cham artwork in the country. After your visit, drive over the Pass of Ocean Clouds before dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Then, you will reach Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, to visit the ancient Forbidden City from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.

Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument, depart for Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Continue to former emperor Minh Mang's tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Then head to Khai Dinh's Tomb, designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch. Before heading back to your hotel, take time to stroll around the lively and colourfull Dong Ba Market with your guide.

Overnight in Hue.

Transfer to Hue's airport for the short flight to Hanoi. Explore Vietnam's capital by an escorted, full-day city tour. Tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples make for a unique blend of east and west in this beautiful city. The tour includes such sites as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, West Lake, the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, the Taoist temple of Quan Thanh and the Temple of Literature. At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi's Old Quarter also known as the '36 streets'. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake.  This evening, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with traditional music. (subject to availability)

Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.  

Overnight in Hanoi.

Leave Hanoi for rural northern Vietnam and the site of the county's first capital, Hoa Lu. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take a sampan (traditional boat)* (see options for sampan trip below) on the river through rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields giving rise to this place's other name, 'Halong on Land'. 

Trang An Boat Option (in replace of Tam Coc): Trang An is a less visited nature reserve similar to Tam Coc. An 'eco tourism' area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.

Thung Nang Boat Option (in replace of Tam Coc): Similar to Tam Coc, Thung Nang is off the tourist trail and a pleasant alternative. Pass through a cave, fields of lotus (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today immerse yourself in ancient Vietnamese culture with an excursion to Duong Lam, one of the country's few remaining ancient villages.  Explore houses over 400 years old, wander the village's narrow alleyways, visit local temples, and most interesting of all, chat with friendly locals.

Enjoy a local style meal for lunch in a 100-year old house.

After your lunch, continue driving to Mia Pagoda (another hamlet of Duong Lam), built in the 15^th century, then, visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, places dedicated to two national heroes - Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung. 

In the afternoon return to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

A special cooking class is prepared for you in the morning. Start with a visit to a local market accompanied by a chef to learn about Vietnamese ingredients and cuisine, followed by a cooking demonstration. After the class lunch is served so you can sample all the different dishes prepared during the demonstration.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening transfer to Hanoi Train Station for the overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa. 

Overnight on the train.

You will arrive at Lao Cai train station in the early morning. From Lao Cai the road winds up the terraced hillsides to Sapa, a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam's most diverse ethnic groups.

On arrival in Sapa, you will be transferred to your hotel for breakfast and the chance to freshen up. A morning walking tour of Sapa visits the busy market, whilst the afternoon visit features some nearby hill tribe villages.

Overnight in Sapa.

Have breakfast before driving to visit a local market (Ban Cam on Tuesday/ Cao Son on Wednesday/ Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday / Can Cau on Saturday/ Bac Ha on Sunday). Here you'll see mostly Flower Hmong, however Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, and Nung hill tribe groups offering a variety of local products rarely seen anywhere else.  

Enjoy a light trek to a nearby hilltribe village. Here you'll have the opportunity to visit some local homes to understand more about the daily life of these tribes. In the late afternoon transfer back to Lao Cai before taking the night train back to Hanoi.

Overnight on the train.

Arrive early in Hanoi where a hotel will be available to freshen up before heading to Halong Bay by road. Depart for the 3.5 hours drive to Halong Bay and enjoy the great scenery of the surrounding farmlands of the Red River Delta including rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive from Hanoi late morning for a warm welcome at the pier of your boat.

Complete check-in procedures and transfer to your boat for the overnight journey into the Bay. Lunch is served on board. Cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong (incense pot). Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed by dinner. 

Overnight on Halong Bay.

On your return to Halong City enjoy a full breakfast (or brunch) as your boat weaves its way through spectacular scenery to the dock. Upon disembarkation, your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi.

This afternoon free at leisure. 

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Today is departure day. Enjoy some free time for last minute purchases or simply relax before the transfer to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport and your onward flight.