See the Best of Vietnam with Boundless Journeys

Our first day begins with meeting our guide and fellow guests for lunch. After lunch and a tour briefing, we set out to explore some of the hidden highlights of the city.

First, we pay a visit to the Tan Dinh Market, one of the oldest markets in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ta Dinh Market continues to be a popular place for locals to buy food, clothing, textiles, and various household items, and allows one a glimpse of daily city life in Vietnam.

Next, we learn the story of a Saigon resident who dug a secret cellar beneath his home to hide a large arsenal of weapons and explosives during wartime. Gain an understanding of what life was like for city residents during the war.

We then conclude our touring with a visit to the home of a family of musicians trained in a variety of traditional Vietnamese instruments. Enjoy a demonstration of several of these unique Vietnamese musical instruments.

For more information about Ho Chi Minh City, be sure to check out our Vietnam City Guide

Accommodations

Hotel Grand Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Well-located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Hotel Grand Saigon is a 5-star luxury hotel that was originally built in 1930 and restored in 1997 providing historical charm and modern amenities.

This morning we'll depart early for a journey down the Saigon River by speedboat, gaining a unique perspective of our surroundings and avoiding the congestion of the busy roads. Watching the city fade into the background, we enter the countryside and eventually reach the Cu Chi Tunnels. We visit the Ben Duoc Tunnel system, which is less visited by tourists and allows us the opportunity to learn about the unique history of the tunnels.

Following our visit to the tunnels, we travel through the countryside to a local organic farm and enjoy a lunch sourced right from the farm. After lunch, we depart southern Vietnam for the city of Hué.

Accommodations

Saigon Morin Hotel
Hue, Vietnam

The Hotel Saigon Morin is located in the heart of Hue, making it ideally situated to explore the city. It was originally built in 1901, and is now one of the oldest hotels in Vietnam with views of the Perfume River.

Today we head to the ancient, walled Citadel and explore this former Imperial Palace of Hué. We learn about the Citadel's intriguing architecture, inspired by Beijing's Forbidden City.

For lunch, we go to Lien Hoa Pagoda where the resident nuns prepare a vegetarian meal for us. Over lunch we have the opportunity to learn about Buddhism in Vietnam and the nuns' daily lives.

Next, we make our way to Thanh Tien Village, well-known for its tradition of crafting paper flowers for more than three centuries. We learn from a local how to make an ornate paper flower. Our visit today supports the Backstreet Academy, a social enterprise providing struggling artists, craftsmen, and home-based workers with additional income and recognition for their efforts in preserving their craft.

We return to Hué via boat, floating down the Perfume River.

Accommodations

Saigon Morin Hotel
Hue, Vietnam

The Hotel Saigon Morin is located in the heart of Hue, making it ideally situated to explore the city. It was originally built in 1901, and is now one of the oldest hotels in Vietnam with views of the Perfume River.

This morning we transfer to Hoi An. En route, we ascend Hai Van Pass, with scenic views over the Lang Co Lagoon and the South China Sea. Just south of Danang, a major commercial center of Vietnam, is Marble Mountain. Although Marble Mountain is no longer actively mined for its marble stone, it is still a popular destination as it contains many enchanting holy shrines and limestone caves.

We continue on to Hoi An, a picturesque town along the Thu Bon River. This exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port, dating from the 15th century, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. This afternoon we embark on a walking tour of Hoi An's charming old town admiring its traditional buildings reflecting varied influences, both indigenous and foreign. Hoi An is known for its talented tailors, so a visit to a local tailor shop completes our introduction to Hoi An.

Accommodations

Little Riverside Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam

This boutique hotel’s ideal location on the north bank of the Thu Bon River provides peace and tranquility while still being walking distance to the local shops, restaurants, and the lively Hoi An market.

Today we have the to opportunity learn a popular local craft. Under the instruction of Hoi An craftsmen, we practice the art of making lanterns from bamboo and silk. These lanterns are visible at night along the Tu Bon River, and make a wonderful (and collapsible!) souvenir.

In the afternoon, an optional cycling tour in the nearby countryside gives us a sense of rural life. We head out toward Cam Thanh Village, a small community located in the outskirts of central Hoi An. On the nearby river, we visit a water coconut forest by bamboo basket boat before returning to Hoi An by river boat.

Accommodations

Little Riverside Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam

This boutique hotel’s ideal location on the north bank of the Thu Bon River provides peace and tranquility while still being walking distance to the local shops, restaurants, and the lively Hoi An market.

We begin our day with a one hour drive outside of Hoi An, through the countryside to explore the ancient Cham ruins of My Son. The Champa people reigned over central Vietnam from the 2nd to 15th centuries and you can still see cultural influences of their kingdom today. We will have the chance to walk around and explore the ruins and learn about these ingenious and spiritual people.

We return to Hoi An in time for lunch and the afternoon is yours to explore Hoi An independently, perhaps stroll the local market, visit the local shops, or take in the charming ambience of Hoi An while enjoying drinks on one of the many restaurant balconies overlooking the Thu Bon River.

Accommodations

Little Riverside Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam

This boutique hotel’s ideal location on the north bank of the Thu Bon River provides peace and tranquility while still being walking distance to the local shops, restaurants, and the lively Hoi An market.

This morning we fly to Hanoi and try our hand at making some of the delicious Vietnamese dishes we have indulged in while on tour. We learn about the various ingredients essential for traditional Vietnamese cuisine-the fresh herbs, spices, vegetables, and handmade noodles-while perhaps sampling some exotic fruits. We enjoy our final product for lunch.

This evening we witness a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show at the Thang Long Opera House. This uniquely Vietnamese performance art dates back as far as the 11th century and originated in the rural villages of northern Vietnam where the performances were held in the flooded rice paddies. Stories from Vietnamese folklore are performed much the same now as they were in the past, using the lacquered wooden puppets accompanied by the music of a traditional Vietnamese orchestra.

Accommodations

Sofitel Legend Metropole
Hanoi, Vietnam

This award-winning French colonial-style hotel has stood proudly in the heart of Hanoi since 1901. Once a gathering point for diplomats and high class society, the hotel has a rich history and lovely rooms, a recently built spa, and swimming pool. Within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent Opera House, the hotel is one of the few remaining hotels of its era.

Today we visit some of the many historic and cultural sites of Hanoi. We begin at the Temple of Literature, which is perhaps Hanoi's best-preserved ancient site. Built in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucius, it served as the national university for 700 years.

Next, we visit the Presidential Palace where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Originally the home of the Governor General of Indochina, the immaculate grounds became the center of revolutionary activity once North Vietnam achieved independence in 1954.

Another notable site we visit is the One Pillar Pagoda. Built in 1049 after King Lý Thái Tông's vision of a bodhisattva seated on a lotus flower, the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda sits atop a pillar jutting out of a lily pond. Soon after the temple was built, the King's wife gave birth to a son, and today childless couples visit the pagoda to make prayer offerings.

This afternoon we have time to walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and enjoy some independent exploration or relaxation before our evening performance from the Lang Toi troupe which combines acrobatics with traditional music depicting rural Vietnamese life.

For more about Hanoi, be sure to check out our Guide to Vietnamese Cities

Accommodations

Sofitel Legend Metropole
Hanoi, Vietnam

This award-winning French colonial-style hotel has stood proudly in the heart of Hanoi since 1901. Once a gathering point for diplomats and high class society, the hotel has a rich history and lovely rooms, a recently built spa, and swimming pool. Within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent Opera House, the hotel is one of the few remaining hotels of its era.

This morning after breakfast, we transfer to Ha Long Bay, either by road (approximately 2-3 hours) or seaplane (optional at an additional cost). Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. In 1994, this unique landscape was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival you will board a deluxe Asian cruise boat for a two-day trip through the bay.

We enjoy lunch while sailing into the bay, soaking up the scenic views and unwinding for the last leg of our journey. Various excursions are available including a visit to Tien Ong Cave and the floating fishing village of Cua Van.

This evening, we enjoy the sunset from the deck before an elegant dinner is served.

Accommodations

Ginger Cruise
Hai Phong, Vietnam

This traditionally rigged Asian sailing vessel offers the highest standard of service and amenities on Ha Long Bay. This "junk boat" as they are called, has stylishly decorated cabins in an antique Asian motif. The ship includes a restaurant, lounge, and sundeck offering uninterrupted views of the bay. Excursions such as walks and kayaking admidst the limestone karsts are offered by the boat’s professional and friendly staff.

Early risers will be treated to ideal light for photographs, and perhaps join other guests on deck for a morning Tai Chi lesson. After breakfast, we continue our cruise through the unforgettable landscape, with the option to take an excursion to Ti Top beach - where you are free to hike up 400 steps for a panoramic view of the bay, or simply relax and enjoy the beach.

We disembark the cruise by midday, and return to Hanoi by road, transferred to the airport for your departure flight, or to your post-tour hotel.