Highlights of Vietnam Solo Traveller

Depart for your holiday to Hanoi Vietnam.

Let’s meet our guide on arrival in Hanoi and transfer to our hotel, our base for the next two nights of our tour. 

Later this evening we start our adventure, and transfer by cylo (three wheeled bicycle taxi) ride to the traditional water puppet performance. After watching this ancient art performance, we savour our first taste of Vietnamese food, at a local restaurant for dinner. Our Vietnam experience has begun!

Discover the vibrant city of Hanoi on a full day guided city tour. We'll start by visiting some of Hanoi's most iconic sites, including the grand Ho Chi Minh (Uncle Ho) Mausoleum (viewed from the outside), the humble wooden house where he lived and worked, and the unique One Pillar Pagoda.

Next, we'll explore the 11th-century Temple of Literature and the famous Hoa Lo Museum, a former prison. Our journey continues with a walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter and around the serene Hoan Kiem Lake. But the adventure doesn't stop there! We'll take you to one of Hanoi's best-kept secrets: a hidden café where you can enjoy a "Hanoi cappuccino" - the delicious and must-try egg coffee. This exotic local delicacy is served in one of the few remaining cafés in the city that still makes it.

Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.

After our day of experiencing the highlights of Hanoi we enjoy our evening at leisure to soak up this bustling city. Enjoy free time to explore the many bars and restaurants in the city, walk along the lake and watch the locals, cooking, dancing, and going about their daily lives. Browse the night market for some souvenirs (at the weekend), for ornate cards, souvenirs, clothes, and be entertained by watching the local’s barter.

For those who want more, let's venture on a "Hanoi Street food story" a pre bookable only excursion. See why foodies like Anthony Bourdain fell in love with Vietnam, and its tantalising street food culture. We enjoy the sights, scents, and sounds on this gastronomic adventure learning about Vietnamese people's culture, lifestyle, and cuisine on an evening walking tour. Immerse yourself into the sights and scents of this city as your local foodie guide shares with you, many of their favourite eateries, and introduces you to the cooks, chefs, and characters that shape this Hanoi Street food story!

Departure from our hotel, duration 3 hours. 

Minimum numbers apply for the operation of this pre bookable only tour.

Say farewell to Hanoi as we set off early in the morning for Halong City, a 2.5-hour drive away, to explore the world-famous Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site!

All aboard for our overnight cruise where you'll fall in love with this unique part of Vietnam. We'll sail towards Lan Ha Bay, a less explored gem of Halong Bay, known for its emerald, green waters, serene atmosphere, and embraced by picturesque limestone cliffs.

Let’s enjoy some lunch on board as we cruise through the beautiful islands and islets of Lan Ha Bay. We'll visit a local village, where you can explore the majestic landscape, and simple village life. Visit an ancient house, and even experience a fishpond foot massage (not for the ticklish!) before heading back to the ship.

Soak up the beauty and enjoy the moment! As we anchor for the night, take part in a cooking class, or watch the sun set over the magnificent bay.

After dinner, enjoy some onboard entertainment. Relax with a movie, try your hand at squid fishing, or simply sit back and soak up the atmosphere.

For those early risers start a harmonious morning with a Tai Chi session as the sun rises. What an invigorating way to start the day! Re energise yourself with a light breakfast before our last stop on our cruise: the Dark and Bright Cave. Glide through on a tranquil bamboo boat ride guided by locals, opt for a more energetic route by kayak, or simply relax on board and take in the striking views of Lan Ha Bay. After we disembark for our speed boat return transfer to Tuan Chau Marina and transfer by coach to Hanoi Airport for our flight to Danang.

A light lunch (included) will be enroute or at the airport.

We have arrived in Danang airport! Let’s get together and transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to the beautiful city of Hoi An.

Relax and unwind at our hotel as the rest of our day is at leisure to relax and unwind.

Join us tonight for dinner at our hotel (included).

This morning, we start our Hoi An adventure with a boat journey on the Thu Bon River that runs adjacent to the ancient city. Next, we uncover the beautiful and historic part of Hoi An on a walking tour taking in some of the highlights including, the old Merchant House, Hoi An Museum, the Chinese Assembly Hall, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

After our walking tour, we have a special treat instore, as we savour a typical Vietnamese crispy sandwich, Banh Mi (included), something everyone should try when in Vietnam.

The rest of our afternoon will be at leisure to explore and uncover Hoi An at our own pace.

Hoi An is a perfect place for the keen photographer, with colourful buildings, rice paddy fields, markets, and interesting people among the subjects to capture as holiday memories.  Opening hours permitting, a visit to the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum is recommended, to view stunning images of some of Vietnam’s ethnic tribes people dressed in splendid traditional costume.

For coffee connoisseurs this will be the perfect opportunity to try a Cafe Sua Da (iced coffee) Vietnamese-style. Vietnam is famous for its coffee, and it is simply delicious!

After breakfast, let's set off on a half-day guided excursion into the Hội An countryside. We'll visit a typical village and see the farmers working in their fields and gardens, giving us a glimpse into their daily lives.

After our farm tour, we'll dive into a hands-on cookery class to learn about traditional Vietnamese cooking methods and recipes. Discover the art of Vietnamese cuisine, including the use of vegetables, herbs, garnishes, and spices. After the lesson, we get to enjoy the delicious meal we've skilfully prepared!

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon soaking up the atmosphere in this picturesque city. Hoi An has plenty to explore, from temples and museums to shopping for tailor-made clothes, shoes, and treasures at the local markets. Or just relax in one of the many cafés, sipping a smooth Robusta Vietnamese coffee—a perfect way to unwind in the afternoon.

We say a fond farewell to Hoi An and transfer by coach to Hue. The scenic drive will take approximately four hours, with a stop for lunch (included) along the way.

We have arrived in Hue!

In the afternoon we discover the Imperial Citadel, housing the Forbidden Purple City where emperors once lived with their families. Next, we visit Tu Duc tomb located 8km out of the city and one of the most beautiful royal architectures of Nguyen dynasty. 

Sit back and relax! We’ll finish our day with a cruise along the Perfume River (named because falling orchids gave the water a pleasant scent) to Thiên Mụ Pagoda and enjoy a dinner (included) together at a local restaurant.

After dinner, we transfer to our hotel in Hue for the night.

Today, we’ll transfer to Hue Airport for our flight to the bustling and vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where we will spend the next four nights. 

On arrival we transfer to our hotel, check in, and enjoy some time at leisure. Ho Chi Minh is the new metropolis of Vietnam, where bicycles have been replaced with cars, tall buildings, and bustling day to day life. However, there is still a charming mix of old and new. Take time to stroll through the city parks, enjoy the cool shade of the trees, and watch local playing a variety of games, or simply relaxing in the city’s green spaces.

This evening, let’s get together for dinner (included) at a local restaurant.

Today, we start exploring the wonders of Ho Chi Minh City with a full-day tour. We'll kick off the morning with a visit to the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace), an important historical landmark. After that, we'll take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, passing by the French Colonial Post Office and other notable buildings. Our last stop this morning is the unforgettable Jade Emperor Pagoda. We'll then enjoy a light lunch (included) at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we’ll continue our excursion to Cholon, the largest Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City. Here, we'll discover historic and cultural treasures, including Cha Tam Church, where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963. We'll also visit the Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the seas, and explore the authentic Binh Tay Market. The tour wraps up with a visit to a small Cao Dai Temple, where a small sect of this eclectic religion worships daily.

We'll return in the late afternoon, leaving the evening free for you to further explore this dynamic and vibrant city at your own pace.

Let’s see more of this fascinating and historic country as we embark on a half day excursion to discover the Chu Chi network of underground tunnels. These tunnels were the location of many of the Viet Cong’s military campaigns during the Vietnam War (or American War, as it is called in Vietnam). The tunnels were used as hiding places during combat; also serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food storage and living quarters for the Vietnamese fighters. 

For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.  The more daring among us can enter some of the tunnels with our guide. As this requires crawling along on hands and knees in the darkness of the tunnel, it is certainly not for the faint hearted, wear comfy clothes, and be prepared to get a little dirty!

Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.

After our morning of discovering the Chu Chi tunnels, we return to the city and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to further discover Ho Chi Minh at our own pace.

Today is yours to enjoy some free time in Ho Chi Minh City and explore independently.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of the American/Vietnam War, consider visiting the War Remnants Museum. The exhibits include fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, and many graphic photos—a stark reminder of Vietnam’s recent history.

Stroll through the central parks in the city, which offer a pleasant space for a walk and a glimpse of local life. You might see city dwellers playing đá cầu, a form of foot badminton. Our expert guide will be happy to recommend places to visit that suit your interests.

We depart Ho Chi Minh City by road and set off on a full day guided excursion to Cai Be (approximately two-hour journey), famous for its large floating markets.   On arrival, we’ll take a cruise on the mighty Mekong Delta, in a motorised sampan boat.  Experience the floating markets, with displays of food produce, hung from bamboo poles to attract custom. We then pass a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations, depending on the season we will sample local tropical fruit with our lunch (included) at a local farmers home. After lunch enjoy a leisurely cruise to Vinh Long, before transferring by road and ferry to Can Tho for our overnight stay.

Time to check in to our hotel and relax for the evening. Let’s get together for dinner (included).

Early start this morning! Let’s uncover more of Vietnam with one last cruise.  We’ll visit the bustling market town of Cai Rang and enjoy a Sampan ride through its colourful floating market, with hawkers jostling for space to sell their wares, including everything from plastic sunglasses to exotic fruit and vegetables.   Then let’s travel deeper into the Delta area, to see one of its most spectacular temples, the Khmer monastery of Kh'leng. This temple is inhabited by a group of young Buddhist monks, and a learning centre for members of the Khmer race that have remained there for centuries. The monks study English and Vietnamese and are keen to talk to foreign visitors. We return to our hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before we make our way to Ho Chi Minh Airport for our return flights home. 

We say a fond farewell to Vietnam and our memorable journey from the highlights of Vietnam tour.

Arrive home after a memorable experience in Vietnam.