The Experience

During this ten-night adventure, holidaymakers can experience the exotic beauty of Vietnam’s rural countryside, its emerald waters and craggy, limestone islands, and the warmth and culture of its people. Travellers start their tour in Hanoi, where they can admire Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake, Ho Chi Minh’s complex, and Ngoc Son Temple. Then, they head to Cat Ba Island to explore its national park and enjoy some trekking. The last days of the getaway may be spent at relaxation in the coastal city of Da Nang and take a selected tour in Hoi An.

The Itinerary

• Day 1, Australia-Hanoi: On arrival in Hanoi, be picked-up at the airport and transferred to the hotel; take a walk around the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and relax after the flight
• Day 2, Hanoi City Tour (breakfast and lunch): Embark on a guided Hanoi city tour, discover Tran Quoc Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and have lunch at one of the local restaurants (two various options available depending on the day of tour, please check the full itinerary)
• Day 3, Ha Noi-Cat Ba Island-Lan Ha Bay (breakfast, lunch and dinner): Head to Dinh Vu port, then take a speedboat to Cat Ba Island and check in at the hotel when on the spot; embark on a boat cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay to visit The Monkey Island and do some kayaking
• Day 4, Cat Ba National Park-Ha Noi (breakfast and lunch): Take a minibus to the Cat Ba National Park and enjoy about two hours of trekking through the Kim Giao forest; then visit the Trung Trang Cave
• Day 5, Hanoi-Danang (breakfast): Enjoy a day at leisure; in the afternoon be transferred to the airport for the flight to Danang; on arrival, be picked-up and taken to the hotel for check-in; spend the rest of the day at leisure
• Day 6, Danang (breakfast): Relax at the hotel or on the beach, and explore the Danang city
• Day 7, Danang-Hoi An (breakfast): Spend the day at leisure; then head to Hoi An; check-in at the hotel there
• Day 8, Hoi An (breakfast): Relax at the hotel, explore the ancient city of Hoi An and take one of the optional tours, including a cooking class one and an eco tour of Hoi An
• Day 9, Hoi An-Australia (breakfast): Spend the beginning of the day at leisure; then be transferred to the airport for an onward flight home
• Day 10: Arrive home

See the full itinerary.

• TripAdvisor rating: 5 / 5 Certificate of Excellence

The Area: Vietnam

Vietnam is a vibrant, colourful land of contrasts, with a natural landscape shaped by a history of seafaring, war and colonialism. Ancient Asian capitals now boast wide Parisian boulevards, where phở and croissants are eaten with equal relish. Emerald waters lap at the base of towering limestone islands, riddled with eerie caves and shrouded in rainforest and mist – it’s a landscape that myths are made of. For a real taste of the land, a cooking class with locals is a must.