Overview
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Please note: most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. Please double check requirements with your travel agent or local Vietnamese Embassy.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Cycle to the Cu Chi Tunnels for a guided tour. Travel through the countryside and stop at local points of interest along the way. In the afternoon, fly to Hoi An via Danang.
- Củ Chi Cycling : Start off on the back roads. Ride through rubber plantations and sleepy villages where residents tend rice fields. See where rice paper is made. Finish the ride at the Cu Chi Tunnels, extensive underground bases and an example of one of the greatest advantages the Viet Cong held over the Americans in the war.
- Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour: Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Explore the villages around Hoi An by bike before enjoying a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project. Opt to relax on the beach, or visit the tailors in town.
- Hoi An Cycling Excursion: Enjoy a peaceful exploration of the villages around Hoi An led by your CEO. Cycle through rice paddies and along narrow country lanes, taking in scenes of daily life.
- Oodles of Noodles: Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by our G for Good partners, STREETS International, this class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.
- Free Time: Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like.
- Hoi An Cooking Class: Take a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
- Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour: Stroll through the narrow winding streets of Hoi An’s old town to see Chinese assembly halls, ancestral homes, The Japanese Covered Bridge, and well-preserved pagodas on this self-guided tour. Opt to try local delicacies and fusion food at one of the restaurants for which Hoi An is becoming famous.
Drive the Hai Van Pass to the ancient capital of Hue.
- Free Time: Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like.
See Hue by bike, including the Citadel and the tomb of Tu Duc. Take an overnight train to Hanoi. Set out on bicycles to discover Hue, visiting the former Citadel and Tu Duc's tomb. After spending the day cycling, head back to town before taking an overnight train to Hanoi.
- Hue Cycling Tour: Cycle through Hue and to landmarks like the Citadel and Tu Duc's tomb.
- Basic Overnight Train (beds): There will be a 15-min transfer by private bus to the train. The sleeper trains in Vietnam are quite comfortable. Each cabin sleeps four people in two bunk beds. You will be able to lock the door from the inside. All bedding is provided. The train is air conditioned and has squat and Western-style toilets with a wash basin at the end of each compartment. Bags can be stored in the cabin and accessed at anytime. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. This is not to everyone’s taste, so bringing your own is recommended.
Transfer to Mai Chau, then continue out into the countryside. Hike the Mai Chau area and enjoy a homestay with local meals provided. Upon arrival in Hanoi, drive out into the nearby hills. Reach Mai Chau in the late morning and then take a hike around the area to visit some of the Thai minority people who call this valley home. Enjoy a home-cooked meal and sleep in a dormitory-style long house in traditional style.
- Mai Chau Hike: Leave the city behind and travel up into the mountains north of Vietnam. Walk through villages and past rice paddies up into the hills. The hike is simple enough for anyone in good health, although the terrain can become slippery underfoot if the weather changes.
- Mai Chau Homestay: Enjoy a homestay in Mai Chau – make new friends and learn all about local living. Reach Mai Chau in the late morning, and then hike around the area to visit some of the Thai minority people who call this valley home. With its green rice fields, punctuated by traditional brick kilns and surrounded by mountains, Mai Chau is yet another picture-perfect moment in the adventure of Vietnam. Enjoy a home-cooked meal during the evening, and sleep in a dormitory-style long house in traditional style. (The group will be provided with mattresses, mosquito nets, and blankets – the homestay is comfortable, but basic.)
Return to Hanoi before cycling the outskirts of the city. In the evening, walk through the Old Quarter and take in the beautiful sites.
- Hanoi Cycling Tour: Distance cycled: 25km (15 mi)
- Old Quarter Orientation Walk: Take an orientation walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Each street is named after the trade practiced on that street for several generations; it's an interesting glimpse into the life of a Hanoian in one of the oldest parts of town. Need a rest? Stop at Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool. Drink the local brew with the locals and make new friends.
- Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour: Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
- Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance: Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage.
Relax on a traditional junk boat cruise around Halong Bay and indulge in an included seafood lunch. This afternoon, explore Halong Bay by kayak for a different perspective. Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay and, to further their beauty, intricate cave systems naturally exist throughout these limestone karst formations. Our sailing junk will visit some of the islands and caves. Enjoy an evening drink on the deck beneath the stars. The evening's accommodation is a special experience – sleeping on a boat surrounded by high limestone karsts.
- Halong Bay Overnight Cruise: Cruise through majestic Ha Long Bay on a traditional wooden junk boat. Enjoy your time afloat eating fresh seafood, and exploring Sung Sot cave. Spend a peaceful night anchored in the bay under the stars. On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
- Halong Bay Kayak Excursion: Travel the narrower channels of Halong Bay by kayak. See rock gardens, dark sea caves, lagoons and limestone karsts. On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
Marvel at the limestone karsts of Halong Bay. Return to Hanoi in the mid-afternoon for a final night out. In the morning, enjoy one last view of the magnificent limestone islands. Head back to dry land to embark on a private bus to Hanoi. In the afternoon, delve deeper into the site of Hanoi and opt to explore the exterior of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton).
- Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) Guided Tour: Tour the museum of Hoa Lo Prison, referred to as Hanoi Hilton by American prisoners, to learn more about the Vietnam War.
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- Kayak through limestone karsts in Halong Bay.
- Walk among the hills of Mai Chau.
- Cycle through unspoiled countryside.
- Soak in the energy of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Visit the tailors and beaches in Hoi An.
- Wander the vibrant streets of Hanoi.
- Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Mai Chau Homestay, Mai Châu
- Cu Chi Tunnels entrance and tour
- Escorted cycling trips
- Entrance to the Emperor's Tomb and Citadel
- Countryside hike
- Halong Bay overnight boat trip with seafood meals
- Sea-kayaking and cave visit
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Hike, kayak, bicycle, private vehicle, train, plane, junk boat
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- Hotels (6 Nights), Sleeper Train (1 Night), Junk Boat (1 Night), Homestay (1 Night)
- 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
For travellers who prefer their adventures powered by motion - G's Active tours offer an immersive way to explore the world. Whether it’s hiking rugged trails, biking scenic routes, or kayaking along rivers and coastlines, all you'll need to bring is your energy, enthusiasm, and a love for active adventure. Our expert guides provide all the gear and logistical support needed so you can focus on the journey.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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