Vietnam Tours
Taste of Vietnam Tour
Culture, cuisine and countryside adventures on this tailor-made 14 day tour.
The Taste of Vietnam Tour
This 14-day adventure through Vietnam begins in the city of Hanoi. First, you'll explore the vibrant capital, taking a cooking class and diving into the lively night markets. Then head to world-famous Halong Bay to cruise emerald waters dotted with limestone cliffs. Here you also visit caves and explore by kayak.
Next, Hue awaits, offering a glimpse into Vietnam's imperial past. Cycle through scenic countryside, explore temples and pagodas, and take a relaxing boat trip down the Perfume River. After that, Hoi An is the next stop. Here you explore a charming fishing village by boat and savour the city's renowned cuisine.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's dynamic metropolis, is next. A hands-on cooking class delves into the country's culinary secrets, while a guided scooter tour unveils the tastiest street food. Then cruise the Mekong River and cycle through lush countryside. Finally, discover the vibrant town of Can Tho before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for departure.
This tailor-made 14-day tour packs the best of Vietnam into two weeks. As a result, it offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, cultural experiences and delicious food adventures. Above all, remember that we can tailor this tour to your exact needs!
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome to Vietnam
Chao Ban, and a warm welcome to Hanoi! We meet you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free to relax or start exploring the city.
Overnight in Hanoi
DAY 2
Hanoi Cooking Class and Foodie Tour
Join a local cooking class, starting with a shopping trip at a local market for ingredients. Then prepare an old Hanoian favourite for lunch. In the evening, take a walking tour of the Old Quarter. Along the way, you sample rice pancake rolls, herbal chicken and grilled fish. Finally, finish with local porridge by Hoan Kiem Lake.
Overnight in Hanoi · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 3
Halong Bay
First, drive for roughly 4 hours through the Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay. Then board your cruise for a welcome drink and briefing. Lunch follows while cruising to the Cua Van floating fishing village. After that, visit Tien Ong cave, recently opened to the public. Its archaeological finds date to 10,000-8,000 BC. Then explore by bamboo boat or kayak. Finally, anchor for the night with a Vietnamese cooking demonstration.
Overnight in Overnight on the cruise boat · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
Halong Bay Cruise and Travel to Hue
Enjoy an early sunrise, Tai Chi on the sundeck, and more cruising before disembarking at Tuan Chau Marina. Then transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Hue.
Overnight in Hue · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 5
Kim Long Village
Take an 8km cycling trip to Thanh Toan Bridge, passing village life and a local banana farm. Here you learn about the bridge's history and Vietnamese farming instruments. Continue cycling through villages and rice fields to Vong Canh Hill for the best view of the Perfume River. After that come Voi Re Temple and Tiger Right (Ho Quyen). Finally, spend the evening cooking dinner with a host family.
Overnight in Garden house homestay · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6
Buddhism and Hue
First, visit Huyen Khong Pagoda to experience daily Buddhist rituals. Then join a cooking class at Phu Mong village. Afterwards, see Van Thanh Temple and Thien Mu Pagoda. Finally, take a boat trip on the Perfume River and visit Dong Ba Market.
Overnight in Hue · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 7
Hoi An
Take a relaxing 1-hour cyclo ride to Dong Ba market. Then transfer to Hoi An (around 4 hours). Meanwhile, scenic stops along the way include Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains.
Overnight in Hoi An · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 8
Hoi An Fishing and Foodie Tour
Visit a fishing village to experience local fishermen's life, including a basket boat ride. Then cycle through rice paddies and coconut groves into Hoi An town. Later, in the evening, join a street food walking tour.
Overnight in Hoi An · Meals included: Lunch
DAY 9
Hoi An Cooking Class
Walk through Tra Que Organic Village's market gardens, picking fresh herbs for your cooking lesson. Then shop for ingredients at the local market. At the Red Bridge Cooking School, learn to cook four famous central Vietnamese dishes. Afterwards, enjoy your creations and relax at the 20m swimming pool. Finally, finish with a leisurely river cruise back to town.
Overnight in Hoi An · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 10
Ho Chi Minh City
There is free time in Hoi An before a transfer to Da Nang airport. Then fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where the afternoon is free to explore.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 11
City Cooking Class and Scooter Tour
Follow a chef through the vibrant Ben Thanh market to buy ingredients. Then join a hands-on 3-hour cooking class to create a four-course meal. In the evening, take a scooter tour through the city's small alleys, tasting the best street food. Afterwards, walk through the nightlife of HCM City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 12
Mekong Delta and Can Tho
Drive to Cai Be (around 2.5 hours) to board a boat for the floating market on the Mekong River. Then cycle around Dong Phu Island, learning to make coconut candy. After lunch, cruise to Vinh Long for more cycling through rural riverside villages.
Overnight in Can Tho · Meals included: Lunch
DAY 13
Can Tho and HCM City
Take an early morning boat trip to the chaotic and colourful Cai Rang Floating Market. You also enjoy the Mekong Delta scenery before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 14
Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Time for some last-minute shopping, depending on your flight, before transferring to the airport for your flight home.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
Arrival and departure transfers
Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout
Accommodation as shown in 3-star accommodation – contact us for upgrades to 4 or 5 star options
Halong Bay cruise
Flight from Hanoi to Hue and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
All excursions as shown in the itinerary
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start and end point – contact us for information and flight options
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Drinks
Items of a personal nature
Tips for drivers and guides
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This is a private tour, scheduled to your requirements.
From £1,995 per person, based on two people sharing per room
Single Supplement – £220
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For example, it covers safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Vietnam.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Vietnam. It should also be in good condition. In fact, a number of British nationals have been refused entry due to a damaged passport. For stays longer than 15 days, apply for an e-visa online (up to 30 days, single entry). Alternatively, ask your travel agent to arrange a visa pre-approval letter.
If travelling with prescription medicine, carry it in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. Also declare it at customs if its import value exceeds US$100. Vietnam has restrictions on medicines classified as addictive or psychotropic. Therefore, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in advance if unsure.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes this on the TravelHealthPro website. In an emergency, dial 115 for an ambulance. However, complex treatment may require evacuation to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, make sure you have adequate travel health insurance.
Vietnamese law requires everyone to carry photographic ID at all times. Therefore, carry a photocopy of your passport details and visa, keeping the original safe. Penalties for drug possession can be severe, including the death sentence for even small amounts. Also, never photograph near military installations.
What to Bring
Lightweight cotton garments are advised. However, women may need shoulders and legs covered below the knee at certain sites. A lightweight, fold-up raincoat or poncho is also advisable. In addition, a sleep sheet is useful for overnight sleeper trains (also available to buy cheaply in Hanoi). Comfortable walking shoes plus flip-flops are the ideal footwear.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. You're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. Also bring an overnight bag for the night aboard the boat in Halong Bay. We also recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, DEET-based mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream. Finally, pack a water bottle and a universal travel adaptor.
While You're There
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong. However, US dollars can be used directly for some hotels, restaurants and tours. Only change money at official exchange counters, because changing elsewhere is illegal. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash as backup in rural areas. In addition, ATMs are widely available in major cities.
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. Tropical cyclones typically affect the eastern coastal regions from May to November. As a result, they bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Vietnam uses 2-pin round plugs on a 220V/50Hz supply and is on GMT+7. Wifi is also available in almost all hotels, cafés and restaurants.
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