= Journeys Featuring AKP Projects
Vietnam | Highlights of Vietnam
 Old River Port, World Heritage listed Hoi An |
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Click to download PDF itinerary:
12 days / 11 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Hanoi | 3 |
| Halong Bay | 1 |
| Hoi An | 3 |
| Hue | 2 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 2 |
Day 1 Arrive Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi you are met by a representative of A&K and assisted with immigration and luggage claim before transferring to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Grand Luxury)
Day 2 Hanoi
Morning tour this charming provincial city set around Hoan Kiem Lake. Start with a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum then the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Lunch at one of Hanoi’s best restaurants, Madame Hien, for authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a traditional villa setting. After lunch visit the Museum of Ethnology with both indoor and outdoor exhibits dedicated to the many ethnic groups of Vietnam (B,L).
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Grand Luxury)
Day 3 Hanoi
A day at leisure in this refined city to wander its tree-lined avenues, admire local galleries or shop for Vietnamese handicrafts and homewares. A guide and car are at your disposal. (B)
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Grand Luxury)
Day 4 Hanoi - Halong Bay
A 3 hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Vietnam’s most famous natural wonder, Halong Bay, where 3000 islands rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Along the way, you will pass through rich farmlands observing the everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work in the rice fields, take pigs to the market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive at the pier and board your junk for the overnight journey. Cruise the calm waters through the limestone islets and see Vietnamese life at its most unspoiled and traditional, families here are reliant on fishing for their livelihood and you will pass many floating villages (B,L,D).
Violet Junk (Suite Cabin)
Day 5 Halong Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An
Disembark the cruise and return to Hanoi, visiting en route the Phu Lang pottery village. Afterwards transfer to the airport for the short flight to Danang. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the World Heritage listed town of Hoi An. (B)
The Nam Hai (Villa 1 Bedroom)
Day 6 Hoi An
Your morning tour takes you through Hoi An, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town centre and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Enjoy browsing and shopping in the one of the most colourful local marketplaces in all of South East Asia.
Free at leisure in the afternoon. Relax on the private beach or by the resort pool or perhaps rent a bike to ride into Hoi An to explore the picturesque centre of town with its restored 18th century merchants’ houses. Hoi An also boasts some of the best silk shops, art galleries, tailors and handicraft shops in Vietnam as well as dozens of excellent restaurants serving the delicious local specialties (B).
The Nam Hai (Villa 1 Bedroom)
Day 7 Design your day Hoi An
There is much to keep the discerning traveller occupied in Hoi An so tailor the day to suit. Please choose one of following half-day activities:
Option 1: Morning tour to Tra Que Vegetable Village
Perhaps a bike ride to a local farm in Tra Que village. Walk through the vegetable garden and join the farmers as they cultivate the soil, pick the produce and prepare the local delicacy tam huu.
Option 2: Morning Cooking Class at Mango Mango (private)
Savour Vietnam’s culinary heritage with a market visit in search of the freshest local ingredients, a three hour hands on cooking class finishing with a gourmet lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to relax by the pool or further exploration.
Option 3: Morning Street Food session
Today’s food tasting tour is an entertaining and informative way to see a different side of Hoi An through its food. Visit a local market then sit down to sample an astounding 36 local delicacies bought directly from the vendors - from sweet to savoury, noodles, sticky rice, a myriad of spring rolls, tropical fruits and dishes only found in Hoi An.
The afternoon is at leisure (B,L).
The Nam Hai (Villa 1 Bedroom)
Day 8 Hoi An - Hue
A scenic drive north via the fishing village of Lang Co and the Pass of Ocean Clouds to Hue, the 19th century capital of Vietnam. En route visit the Cham Museum containing the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.
This afternoon explore the Mausoleum of Khai Dinh which is traditionally Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.
Dinner this evening is at one of Hue’s beautiful garden houses known locally as ‘nha vuon’. These houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in large and attractive formal gardens. Some have connections with the old Royal Imperial Court and their traditional architecture has long been associated with the natural environment and the ancient belief of ‘feng-shui’.(B,L,D).
La Residence Hotel & Spa (Deluxe)
Day 9 Hue
This morning you are collected from the hotel by cyclo and head to Tinh Tam Lake which is full of lotus flowers in summer and surrounded by local coffee shops frequented by students. Continue by cyclo to Tay Loc Market, a typical local market. Transfer by vehicle to the beautiful pagoda of Tu Hieu which dates back to 1843. Located in a forest of pine trees this monastery was once the home of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh who now resides in France and has many followers worldwide. What is most interesting at the pagoda are the eunuch tombs from the former Royal Court which in the whole city of Hue are only found here. If in Hue on Thursday or Sunday mornings between 0900-1000 Tu Hieu is the gathering place for up to 200 Buddhist monks and nuns who gather together to pray and read aloud scriptures. This is a fascinating time to be at Tu Hieu and highly recommended.
Next visit Ho Quyen, formerly an arena where duels between elephants and tigers were fought for the entertainment of former kings. At the end of the tour visit the recently restored An Dinh Palace where magnificent murals can be seen, as well as the stunning façade where oriental and European designs are integrated.
Finish the morning with lunch in the home of a local personality and expert on cultural aspects of Hue. Born in Hue in 1940 to an aristocratic family your host is a respected historian who has devoted his life to researching the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Your host has also collected and conserved a large collection of valuable photographs as archives on Hue’s culture and architecture through different periods of time.
This afternoon start at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.
After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument, depart to the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang which is located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds.
Before heading back to your hotel take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market with your guide. The market is another of the must see sites in Hue, the stalls are teeming with color and a great place to catch a glimpse of everyday life. At the end of the tour return to your hotel (B,L).
La Residence Hotel & Spa (Deluxe)
Day 10 Hue - Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival you are met and transferred to the hotel.
This afternoon wander the streets of bustling Cholon, the city’s Chinatown district, discover the markets and shops of the area, and also the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda - dedicated to the goddess of the Sea. Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, will be visited next, displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Implements used to prepare indigenous herbs, objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine can be seen in the galleries. The tour takes you also to lively Binh Tay Market (B).
Park Hyatt Saigon (Park Room)
Day 11 Design your day Ho Chi Minh City
A day to plot your own course. Choose one of the following:
Option 1: Full day to Cu Chi Tunnels and city tour
Take a trip out of town to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, an extensive network dug by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces during the war. See it through the eyes of a veteran guide who accompanies you. Afterwards head downtown for lunch at Dong Pho restaurant. After lunch, continue to the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace, with a photo stop outside the Cathedral. There is an option to travel to the tunnels by speed boat up the Saigon River.
Option 2: Full day to Cai Be (Mekong Delta)
Or a journey to Cai Be, The tour will start with a visit to the colourful Cai Be floating market, cruising among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables. Your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During the short cruise you will see beautiful landscapes along the river and observe rural life in the Mekong Delta. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River are still largely unknown to many. Visit an ancient Mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup a tea.
There are other stops including a large rice market, a traditional brick and tile factory, the chance to observe how locals are using palm leaves for houses and see how rice paste, cookies and coco candies are made.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City after lunch (B,L).
Park Hyatt Saigon (Park Room)
Day 12 Ho Chi Minh
Say farewell to Vietnam with a transfer to the airport (B).
Optional Extension
Choose to combine your journey with one of A&K’s fantastic extensions. Not to be missed, these additions are specially selected by our travel specialists.
View our 'Vietnam | Cruising the Mekong Itinerary'
View our 'Vietnam | Con Dao Extension'
Enquire Now
54 Traditions – The art of the minorities
In Hanoi don’t miss 54 Traditions, the only gallery in Vietnam focusing on the antiques, artifacts and art of the country’s 53 minority groups and the Kinh majority people. There are over 1000 objects on display including ritual scrolls and swords from the northern mountains, tribal textiles, antiques and jewellery.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
A French colonial-style property built in 1911, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi boasts a rich history and a century-long tradition of hospitality enjoyed by statesmen, writers, performers and entrepreneurs. Following extensive refurbishment, visitors today experience the charm of an impeccably restored turn-of-the-century hotel with first class service. It has a central location right in the heart of the capital and is close to the prestigious Municipal Theatre. There is a choice of three restaurants, swimming pool, health club and Le Spa du Metropole.
