A Taste of Vietnam
Bustling Ho Chi Minh City, picturesque colonial Hoi An, world-heritage Halong Bay & the northern capital of Hanoi; optional extension to Bangkok
Overview
Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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Departures | September – October 2023 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
Themes | History & Culture, Bucket List | ||
Activity Level | Moderate | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, locally hosted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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If you've put off a trip to Vietnam because of time or price, then our A Taste of Vietnam tour package is for you. See why Vietnam has emerged as Asia's hottest new destination for Western travelers. Our 10-day escorted tour takes you to Vietnam's two most important cities—Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi, as well as picturesque Hoi An and Halong Bay. Explore on your own or on exciting optional tours to the Cu Chi Tunnels, My Son, and more! Enjoy superior accommodations, bountiful daily breakfasts, included sightseeing tours in each city, discounted optional excursions, and the best in Friendly Planet service. Of course, all of this is yours at downright amazing prices!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from Los Angeles (LAX) including taxes & fees
- All intra-Asia flights and ground transportation
- 7 nights superior class hotels with private bath
- 12 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners, including a welcome dinner
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking tour directors and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Exciting excursions in Ho Chi Minh City including Cu Chi Tunnels or a vintage Vespa ride; in Hoi An including Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge in Hanoi including Authentic Life in Hanoi
- Post-tour extension to Bangkok
Why you'll love it
- For each traveler visiting, Friendly Planet contributes to a carbon-neutral program which supports reforestation, clean water, replenishing mangroves, and seeding coral reefs.
- Tour Ho Chi Minh City’s must-see sights, including Reunification Hall and Saigon Post Office.
- Savor a special dinner prepared by youth studying the culinary arts at STREETS International.
- Sink your toes into the white sands of China Beach.
- Set sail on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay.
- Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Hanoi that includes the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.
Itinerary at a Glance

- 1 Depart USA
- 2 En route
- 3 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
- 4 Ho Chi Minh City
- Optional Excursion: A Day in Ben Tre with lunch, $80
- Optional Excursion: Saigon Nightlife by Vespa (purchased locally), $125
- 5 Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang & Hoi An
- Optional Excursion: Cu Chi Tunnels, $55
- 6 Hoi An
- Optional Excursion: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge, $115
- Optional Excursion: Hoi An walking tour (purchased locally), $35
- Optional Excursion: Sunset Cruise on Thu Bon River (purchased locally), $55
- 7 Hoi An & Halong Bay
- 8 Halong Bay & Hanoi
- 9 Hanoi
- Optional Excursion: Authentic Life in Hanoi, $42
- 10 Depart Hanoi/Arrive USA
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Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Check-in for your overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam via Taipei, Taiwan
Day 2 En route
- Cross the International Dateline and lose a day. (You will recover this day on the return leg of your trip.)
Day 3 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
- Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to your hotel for check-in
- This afternoon, explore Ho Chi Minh City on an included city tour
- Begin at Reunification Hall, formerly the Presidential Palace
- Visit the ornate French colonial Saigon Post Office
- Get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner
Grand Hotel Saigon or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel, located in the city's heart and within easy access to shopping, touring, and dining.
This afternoon, explore dynamic Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by many locals) on an included comprehensive city tour. Begin at the historic Reunification Hall, which formerly served as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighters' tanks (the Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. From 1885 to 1954, Vietnam was the French colony of Indochina, and you'll see remnants of the French influence throughout the city. Visit the ornate French colonial Saigon Post Office, built by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel, where locals still come to post letters and make international calls from the beautifully trimmed phone booths inside.
Later this evening, join your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner.
Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City
- Full day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City or optional excursions
Grand Hotel Saigon or similar Breakfast
Optional Excursion: A Day in Ben Tre with lunch, $80Depart your hotel this morning, heading south to the Ben Tre Province. Stop along the way to discover how Vietnamese farmers work in the rice fields and observe the daily life of the villagers of the Mekong Delta. Next, cruise the small canals and arroyos of the Mekong lined with palm and coconut trees. Sip on Vietnamese honey tea while strolling through fragrant fruit orchards and learn more about "Mekong culture." Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant offering freshly caught fish. Minimum 3 passengers to operate.
Optional Excursion: Saigon Nightlife by Vespa (purchased locally), $125Tonight offers a chance to experience the vibrant nightlife of Saigon from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. The city comes alive at sundown, and people congregate on sidewalks, parks, and all over the city. The first stop on your culinary exploration will be to sample some light evening snacks and refreshments at a rooftop bar. Continue through the city streets, seeking out bustling stalls serving authentic Vietnamese dishes. Conclude the evening at a hidden cafe where you can enjoy a musical performance over a drink and ice cream, and see the new generation of Vietnamese unwind and flaunt their unique style. Minimum 2 passengers to operate.
Day 5 Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang & Hoi An
- Enjoy the morning at leisure or take an optional excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang
- Continue to Hoi An and check-in to your hotel: balance of the day at leisure
- Join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant
Hoi An Historic or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure, or take advantage of an optional morning excursion to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang on the coast of the South China Sea. Upon arrival, board your touring coach and continue to Hoi An. The colorful market town of Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a major Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, with ships arriving from all over the world to obtain silk and other fabrics, sugar, tea, and ceramics. Hoi An's traditional Vietnamese architecture is well preserved, and there are many historic temples and pagodas in the area.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore on your own. Take advantage of Hoi An's world-famous tailors during your stay here. Anything you may want to wear can be made for you in Hoi An, all at bargain prices and with expert craft. Join your fellow travelers for a special dinner at a unique local restaurant this evening. STREETS International is much more than your typical restaurant; it is an innovative vocational training program for underprivileged children to learn hospitality management, entrepreneurship skills, and the culinary arts. Tonight, you'll support the program and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the students.
Optional Excursion: Cu Chi Tunnels, $55The Viet Minh built the Cu Chi Tunnels in the 1940s. This incredible network of tunnels once stretched for 210 miles and contained extensive Viet Cong infrastructure, including tactical quarters, storage rooms, kitchens, a school, and even an underground hospital. Most entrances were so well disguised that only a tiny portion of the system was ever discovered during the war, even though some 125 miles ran under a U.S. military base. If you wish, you can enter the tunnels or view them from outside. Minimum 2 passengers to operate.
Day 6 Hoi An
- Full day at leisure in Hoi An or optional excursions
Hoi An Historic or similar Breakfast
Optional Excursion: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge, $115Depart this morning for Ba Na Hills, a mountainous theme park perched high among the mountains of a former French resort. First, ascend one of the world's longest and highest cable car rides while taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Once on top of the mountain, visit the Linh Ung Pagoda, Loc Uyen Garden, and the Quan Am Pavilion. Next, amid the misty hills of the mountains, bask in awe at the Golden Bridge, held by two hands that seemingly protrude out of the Earth to hold it up. Get your camera ready to take incredible pictures of the bridge, the neighboring hills, and the distant ocean. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before transferring back to Hoi An. Minimum 3 passengers to operate and cannot be combined with any other optional tours on this day.
Optional Excursion: Hoi An walking tour (purchased locally), $35Embark on a morning or afternoon optional walking tour through the streets of Hoi An, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Hoi An's architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Explore the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants' homes, a 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Before you return to your hotel, enjoy browsing and shopping in one of the most colorful local marketplaces in Asia. Minimum 2 passengers to operate, and cannot be combined with the discounted optional excursions package.
Optional Excursion: Sunset Cruise on Thu Bon River (purchased locally), $55After a day of shopping and sightseeing in Hoi An, set off on a relaxing sunset cruise along the Thu Bon River. Cast off from the town center and watch the UNESCO Heritage trading houses fade from view. The boat will travel north, entering smaller estuaries surrounded by leafy palm trees and dotted with quaint houses. Witness life on the river as local farmers return from the fields laden with vegetables and school kids frolic on the riverbanks. The Hoi An river cruise comes to a close in the last light of day. Watch the sky turn brilliant shades of purple and orange as the sun sets over the river, then return to shore for the evening. Minimum 2 passengers to operate, and cannot be combined with the discounted optional excursions package.
Day 7 Hoi An & Halong Bay
- Transfer to airport for your flight followed by touring coach transfer to Halong Bay
- En route to the airport visit China Beach
- After a short flight, board your touring coach and transfer to lunch
- Continue through the Red River Delta to your hotel in Halong Bay for check-in
- The balance of the day is at leisure
Wyndham Legend Halong Hotel or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight, followed by a touring coach transfer to Halong Bay. En route, visit China Beach, then continue to the airport. After a short flight, board your touring coach and transfer to lunch at a local restaurant.
Afterward, travel through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to your hotel in Halong Bay for check-in. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 8 Halong Bay & Hanoi
- Set sail on a 5-hour cruise on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay
- This afternoon, return to Halong Harbor then transfer to Hanoi
- Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be escorted to your hotel for check-in
- Balance of the evening at leisure
Le Jardin Hotel & Spa or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, transfer to the pier to set sail on your private junk for a 5-hour cruise on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch as you cruise amongst the spectacular limestone islands. This afternoon, return to Halong Harbor, then transfer to Hanoi.
Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure.
Day 9 Hanoi
- Enjoy a half day morning tour of Hanoi
- See Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda
- Continue on to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university
- Conclude your tour with a visit to Hoa Lo Prison
- Visit the Hidden Gem Café and try a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee
- Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or take part in an optional excursion
Le Jardin Hotel & Spa or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryThis morning's half-day tour of Hanoi begins with a view of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and exploring his private residence from 1954 until 1969. The wooden ethnic minority style house, built on stilts, is surrounded by peaceful gardens. In the same complex, you will see the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a glimpse into Vietnam's past. Next, visit Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton." This notorious prison got its nickname during the Vietnam War—which the locals call the "American War," one of many endured in recent times. Long before Americans were imprisoned here, many Vietnamese who fought against the French were held here.
Afterward, enjoy lunch at KOTO (Know One Teach One) restaurant, a non-profit restaurant and vocational training program for young people in Vietnam. Continue to the Hidden Gem Café, a unique coffee shop built around sustainability and reducing the use of plastics. Take notice of the unique décor as you meet the owner and learn more about how this idea came to fruition. Watch as he shows how a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee is made, and indulge in a tasting.
Enjoy your last evening in Vietnam at leisure or take part in an optional excursion.
Optional Excursion: Authentic Life in Hanoi, $42Your afternoon optional excursion offers you the chance to explore Hanoi through the Old Quarter known as the 36 Streets. This bustling area of narrow streets and lanes is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. There's no doubt that these are entrepreneurial people, and you'll see the evidence as you wind your way slowly through the quarter. You'll find plenty of photo opportunities all around you, so have your camera ready. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake and admire the colonial architecture of St. Joseph's Cathedral. Escape the hustle and bustle to Nha Chung Alley, where you will get the chance to meet with a local and discover an in-depth view of the lives of Hanoi residents through three generations. Continue to the railway, which played an essential role during the Vietnam War and was built during French colonial rule. End the tour by enjoying the beautiful mural paintings highlighting Hanoi life in the old days and the city's living heritage. Minimum 3 passengers to operate.
Day 10 Depart Hanoi/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport to check-in for your return flight to the USA
- If your schedule permits, take advantage of an optional extension to Bangkok, Thailand
Breakfast
Bangkok Independent Optional Extension
Why not take advantage of your already included international airfare and add three days in exotic Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand? Your extension includes airfare from Hanoi to Bangkok, three nights at a deluxe hotel, a half-day city tour, breakfast daily, and group transfers!
Day 10 Depart Hanoi/Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
- Transfer to the airport to board your short flight to Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand
- Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to your deluxe, centrally located hotel
- The rest of the day is yours at leisure
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryTransfer to the airport to board your short flight to Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to your deluxe, centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to take in your new surroundings and explore the city independently.
Your hotel boasts a prime location within walking distance of many attractions.
Day 11 Bangkok
- Half day Bangkok sightseeing tour
- Afternoon at leisure
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, enjoy a half day sightseeing the major landmarks of Bangkok. Begin the day visiting the Grand Palace, which for 150 years functioned as the home of the king, his court, and the entire administrative seat of government. Within its grounds, you'll also visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), built to house a large Buddha image carved from a solid piece of green jadeite (jasper). Continue to Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, home to the magnificent reclining Buddha and the first school of traditional medicine and Thai massage. It is also regarded as Thailand's first university.
Day 13 Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
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What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
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Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
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Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
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Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
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What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
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What should I know about Thailand? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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What should I know about Vietnam? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.