Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3 nights
Best of Vietnam - Without Ha Giang Loop
12 daysVietnam
This 12-day Vietnam trip takes you through Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi and Halong Bay, with action and highlights at every turn. Cook your way through local flavours, float through the Mekong by traditional boat, explore the Củ Chi Tunnels and roll north by overnight train. Street eats, city buzz, limestone cliffs and a junk boat stay - your Vietnam hit list starts here.
- Length
- 12 days
- Route
- Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
- Meals
- 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- Style
- Highlights
Watch this price
Highlights
- What does a modular trip mean?A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
- What is the best time to visit Vietnam?Vietnam is wonderful to visit year-round. But the best time to visit depends on what you wanna do, and where in Vietnam you wanna go. Generally, April & May are thought to be the best months to visit Vietnam because of the beautifully bright weather. Between December and March is a slightly cooler period. So if hiking, or city-dwelling is what you want, that’s the best time to visit. And if you wanna avoid the crowds, off-season tends to be between April and June or September to November.
- What is the currency used in Vietnam?The currency used in Vietnam (that can buy you a wholesome, delicious bowl of Pho) is the Vietnamese dong (₫).
- What is the local food like in Vietnam?Planning to visit Vietnam to taste all the wholesome flavours? Aren’t we all? You’ll find plenty of street food stop-offs, serving up freshly made gems including rice, noodle and battered pancake-based dishes, plus the world-famous Pho. Pork is a common feature of Vietnamese cuisine. Generally, Vietnamese food isn’t too spicy (except if your dish has fresh chillies in it!) Oh, and the best thing about the food here? It’s very very cheap.
- How much money should I budget for on this trip?When you travel with Contiki, your accommodation, in-country transport and breakfasts are all included with the cost of your trip. So when it comes to budgeting, you only need to worry about your shopping! Luckily, Vietnam is heralded as an extremely affordable tourist destination too. As a rough guide, you should easily get by on US $50-80 a day.
- What should I wear in Vietnam?We’ll be visiting some traditional tourist hotspots - so don’t forget to keep your shoulders covered (it's customary in Vietnam, and will probably be insisted). For all that beach exploration, it’s generally acceptable for tourists to dress in the swimwear of their choice. Vietnam tends to get very hot & humid, so make sure you pack lots of loose-fitting clothes made from a lightweight and breathable material. Big up the baggy shirts!
- What is the etiquette for tipping in Vietnam?Tipping is pretty common in Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Usually you’ll pay 10% of the total bill, which will amount to roughly $1-5.
- Where multiple optionals are offered in one day, can I do them all or do I have to pick just one?On some days, the Free Time Add-Ons will be during different times. So you’ll be able to do them all! But on some days, you might have to pick just one. Don’t worry, your Trip Manager will do their best to manage all of this for you, and will be able to give you all the details you might need.
- What are the luggage restrictions?You can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs) – plus one piece of hand luggage suitable as a carry-on for flights. Since our trips have included flights, your luggage needs to meet the weight & security restrictions imposed by airlines. On this trip, it’s necessary to use an overnight bag on the occasional nights when it’s not possible to access your luggage (overnight trips to Special Stays). It’s a good idea to bring an overnight bag, or hand luggage that’s big enough to double up as an overnighter when needed.
- Do we visit the Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang?Currently, the Golden Hands Bridge isn’t included on our itinerary. But that means, you get a free day to explore Hoi An - which you REALLY don’t wanna miss out on. The Bridge is part of a theme park called ‘Sun World Ba Na Hills’ and is about a 2-hour drive away from where we stay in Hoi An (and tends to be incredibly crowded!). But if you really wanna visit the bridge, you can always ask your Trip Manager who’ll sort it out for you!
Itinerary
- Ho Chi Minh CityDay 1
- Mekong River DeltaDay 2
- Ho Chi Minh CityDay 3
- Nha TrangDay 4
- Overnight Train to Hoi AnDay 5
- Hoi AnDays 6–7
- HanoiDay 8
- Ninh BinhDay 9
- Halong BayDay 10
- HanoiDays 11–12
Day 1Start Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia's most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. You'll meet your travel comrades and after our kickstart meeting, have a free evening to explore. Oh yes, this is the right way to get your Vietnam trip started.
Day 2Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong DeltaHo Chi Minh City · Mekong River Delta
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam. After a 3.5-hour coach ride out of the city, we’ll hop aboard a traditional boat to explore the river’s ever-changing edges. Think floating life, lush scenery and a slower pace. We’ll stop by a rice paper factory, sample Vietnam’s famous rice whisky, then settle in with a home-cooked meal and live local music. Tonight, it’s all about the experience as we stay in a local homestay.
- Catch Your Own Dinner
- See artisans at work
Day 3Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh CityMekong River Delta · Ho Chi Minh City
After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam's staggering past. Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam's biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Best part? There'll be a few more Contiki travellers joining us this evening. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam's culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).
- Crawl through Củ Chi Tunnels
Day 4Ho Chi Minh City To Nha TrangHo Chi Minh City · Nha Trang
This morning we'll put on our discovery boots, hitting up the highlights of Ho Chi Minh on a city walking tour and then checking out the harrowing but important War Remnants Museum. Later, we'll catch a flight to the coastal town of Nha Trang. Golden sand beaches and big night-time energy, that’s Nha Trang. We’ll roll into the hotel this evening, then the night is yours. Grab dinner by the beach or discover the city for yourself!
- Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Highlights
- Pay Respects at the War Remnants Museum
- Fly to Nha Trang
Day 5Overnight Train to Hoi AnNha Trang · Overnight Train to Hoi An
Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience. Tonight, we'll head north via our overnight train - where you'll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.
Day 6Hoi AnOvernight Train to Hoi An · Hoi An
Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, we'll be waking up in Da Nang and driving on to Hoi An this morning. Join a guided bike tour with a local expert as you ride through the vibrant town, visiting the iconic Japanese Bridge, exploring a traditional ancient house and experiencing the sights and sounds of the central market. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
- Guided Cycling: Hoi An Ancient Town
Day 7Hoi AnHoi An
Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.
Day 8Hoi An to Hanoi via Da NangHoi An · Da Nang · Hanoi
Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang airport… Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town. Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens. We’ll head straight to KOTO for a feel-good feast that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam, then jump into culture mode at the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first-ever university). Next up: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a major landmark with big history behind it. Tonight’s yours to do Hanoi your way, or level it up with an optional Hanoi After Dark Vespa ride for street-food stops and neon-lit city vibes.
- Included Flight Da Nang to Hanoi
- Get a Unique Dining Experience at KOTO Restaurant MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Learn at the Temple of Literature
- See the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Day 9Hanoi to Ninh BinhHanoi · Ninh Binh
Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam's show-stopping natural beauty. Do you see them? Those lush landscapes are calling. This afternoon, you can jump on an optional Bike & Boat adventure out in Van Long, cycling through local villages before cruising the rivers by sampan through “Ha Long Bay on land” scenery. Prefer to keep it chill? The rest of the day is yours to breathe in the fresh air, soak up the greenery, and keep your eyes peeled for birds along the way.
Day 10Ninh Binh to Halong BayNinh Binh · Halong Bay
Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one). A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wow's', but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift around the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.
- Catch a Serene Sunrise at the Mua Cave
- Chill at Ti Top Island
- Stay on a Junk Boat
Day 11Halong Bay To HanoiHalong Bay · Hanoi
Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don't get much better than this. After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.
- Stroll around the Sung Sot Caves
Day 12HanoiHanoi
Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out & make plans to reunite sometime soon - Latin America perhaps?
Hotels
Mekong River Delta, Vietnam
1 night
Bay Thoi Homestay (or similar)
Nha Trang, Vietnam
3 nights
Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Nha Trang, Vietnam
1 night
Overnight Train
Hoi An, Vietnam
2 nights
Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Hanoi, Vietnam
2 nights
Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
1 night
Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Halong Bay, Vietnam
1 night
Junk Boat (Special Stay)
What’s included
Optional experiences
Cruise & Swimming Day Trip
Paid on tour
Tasty Vietnamese Cooking Class
Paid on tour
Ride the Hand-Made Bamboo Basket Boats
Paid on tour
See Hanoi after dark via Vespa
Paid on tour
Bike and Boat Van Long
$27
Kayaking on Halong Bay
Paid on tour
Dates and prices
Per person, twin share