Bask in sun and culture while exploring one of Asia’s prettiest coastlines in Vietnam. This fourteen-day adventure includes visits to Vietnam’s premier coastal destinations of Hoi An, Halong Bay, Nha Trang and Mui Ne. Enjoy highlights of each destination in this exciting country while perfecting your tan in tropical leisure!

Destinations included:
Hanoi – Halong – Hoi An – Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh city – Mui Ne

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Your guide will be waiting for you at the airport on arrival and will take you to your hotel.

Day 2: L’Azalee Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay

After breakfast, meet with your guide and head for to the seaside port of Halong Bay. On board the L’Azalee Deluxe, a beautifully restored traditional wooden junk, admire the sublime beauty of the limestone karts rising out of the water like giants.

Your first day on the water promises a visit to a local Pearl Farm, and a leisurely cruise through the Kiem Lam area, a secluded bay within Cat Ba National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, disembark here for a swim or go kayaking to discover sea caves and secluded bays that the bigger boats can’t reach. Back on board the junk, wrap up your evening with a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the on board chefs before tucking in for a good night’s sleep on the water.

Day 3: L’Azalee Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay

Wake up refreshed as the boat motors towards Surprise Cave, the biggest in Halong Bay. Board the tender for a short trip to the cave and prepare to be amazed – the entry to the cave is deceptively narrow but, once through, the cave opens up to a large chamber with impressive limestone formations. Surprise! Then it’s back to the boat for one last cruise to Halong Port, arriving in the early afternoon. From there you will continue on to Hanoi.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival you’ll be met by a guide again and transferred to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 4: Hue city tour

Your itinerary for the next two days is completely open. Lounge the days away or, should you choose to be productive, choose from optional local activities to partake in. Take an informal cooking class to learn how to create your own central Vietnamese cuisine, take a wander around Hue’s Citadel, or visit the nearby DMZ where the most intense conflict of the Vietnam War took place. Alternatively, head on a day-trips to explore ancient ruins at My Son, the former capital of the Champa civilization, or head to the charming riverside town of Hoi An to discover shady boulevards line with quaint shops, teahouses, and cafes.

Day 5: Free day in Hue

Enjoy a relaxing day at your leisure.

Day 6: Transfer to Nha Trang

After a relaxing couple of days, the tour continues southwards to the beach destination of Nha Trang. Aside from a lovely beach, Nha Trang has islands where you can snorkel and scuba dive in search of tropical fish and coral. The city’s hotels and resorts have rejuvenating mud baths and a remarkably robust nightlife scene as well. Enjoy a night out on the town or relax at your hotel.

Day 7: Free day in Nha Trang

Spend your time as you see fit. Nha Trang’s postcard-perfect beaches offer good reasons to do very little aside from swim and sunbathe! Be sure to visit some of the spectacular nearby islands, though. Highlights include Hon Mun Island, where you can snorkel and see tropical fish and coral, and Hon Tam Island, where you can relax on the beach. While the water just off the main-strip in Nha Trang is relatively clear, as soon as you head off from the mainland it becomes jaw-droppingly translucent.

Day 8: Free day in Nha Trang

Enjoy another day at your leisure. Soak up Nha Trang’s tropical beauty with day-trips to secluded beaches on Nha Trang’s periphery including Jungle Beach and Long Beach. Alternatively, head to the photographer’s paradise at the Hon Khoi Salt Fields for some amazing photographs.

Day 9: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city

After soaking up sand and sun, head to Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic city of 6.5 million that boasts Vietnam’s most impressive downtown skyline. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

In the afternoon you have the option of a private city tour of famous landmarks like the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace, or traveling out of town to see the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, where thousands of Viet Cong soldiers lived during the Vietnam War. In the evening, head to a trendy restaurant or cocktail bar, or try street food near central Ben Thanh Market.

Day 10: Mekong Delta Le Jarai Cruise

This morning depart from your hotel and drive approximately two hours to Ben Tre, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. Here, you will board a small boat to start your sightseeing around the labyrinthine waterways there. Known also as the rice bowl of Vietnam because of its large rice production, the area has also diversified into activities related to aquaculture, rearing of animals, cash crops and fruit trees.

Visit a brick factory before boarding a small boat to meander through the canals and waterways. Stop at a small homemade coconut processing plant to see how coconuts have been turned into oil, candy and woven mats that are later sold in the market. After the boat trip you will have a short walk to a local village to see mat weavers at work before jumping on the deltas version of a tuk tuk and travelling down country roads on your way to the pier. Here you will board the beautiful teak boat Le Jarai to continue your cruise along the river. While on-board, join in the demonstration of Vietnamese cooking before sitting down to a sumptuous three-course lunch of Mekong specialties. After lunch relax on the top deck and take in the scenery back to Ben Tre, where on arrival you will transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in afternoon. Enjoy a night out or relax in the comfort of your hotel.

Day 11: Transfer to Mui Ne

Departing early in the morning, head by bus or train to the beach town of Mui Ne –about 220 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City. This is a wildly popular place for water sports like windsurfing and kite surfing, and its giant sand dunes are ideal for jeep safaris. The area is also famous for its cheap, fresh seafood. The days will whizz by as you enjoy your last beach adventures and sunsets. Don’t forget to snap some photos along the way!

Day 12 – 13: Free day in Mui Ne

Enjoy a relaxing day at your leisure.

Day 14: Transfer to Ho Chi Minh city

Spend the morning however you like before transferring back to Ho Chi Minh city for your onward flight.