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13 days

Northern Vietnam & Hoi An

Look forward to experiencing the soul of Vietnam in the old, beautiful capital of Hanoi and the unique, iconic nature of Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. You round off your tour in charming Hoi An.

Northern Vietnam & Hoi An
Northern Vietnam & Hoi An
13 days

Northern Vietnam & Hoi An

Look forward to experiencing the soul of Vietnam in the old, beautiful capital of Hanoi and the unique, iconic nature of Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. You round off your tour in charming Hoi An.

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What is included in the price?
This package includes the following
  • Flight from the UK to Hanoi; return flight from Da Nang
  • Eight nights in good hotels
  • One night in a sleeper carriage from Hanoi to Da Nang
  • One night on the mini-cruise ship Mila Cruise
  • 9 x breakfast (days 3–7 and 9–12)
  • 5 x lunch (days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
  • 3 x dinner (days 4, 5 and 6)
  • Local English-speaking guide on transfers and excursions
  • Transport by car or minibus with air conditioning
  • All mentioned transfers and excursions take place within international groups of 1 – 14 people and with TourCompass’ own guests only
  • Opportunity to extend the beach holiday in Hoi An
  • ATOL certificate included
  • Departure guarantee – the tour will take place regardless of the number of participants
  • Emergency hotline staffed 24/7 throughout your trip

Extensive excursion package:

  • Guided tour of Hanoi including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature, Hanoi Old Quarter, Cyclo Tour and Vietnamese Coffee at Hoan Kiem Lake
  • Mai Chau Valley with ethnic villages and rice fields
  • Boat ride on the Tam Coc River
  • Dinh & Le temples at Hoa Lu
  • Cruise in Ha Long Bay
  • Admission and fees to the sights and attractions mentioned

THE TOUR IN SHORT

A host of experiences, both cultural and natural, await you in North Vietnam. Hanoi, the capital city, is a marvellous mix of ancient history and modern hustle and bustle, delightful colonial buildings and local markets selling exotic fruit and vegetables. In Mai Chau, you have the chance to experience ethnic villages, as well as paddy fields and highlands, giving you a real taste of everyday life in the country. From Tam Coc, you can see verdant mountains rising proudly from flat fields. You can then look forward to a mini cruise between the magical cliffs of Ha Long Bay. The tour winds up with a few relaxing days in Hoi An.

Why choose this tour

  • Unique nature experiences await you amidst the iconic green limestone cliffs on a mini cruise through Ha Long Bay and the Boi River
  • Most people fall head over heels for the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage city Hoi An, with its yellow houses and colourful lanterns
  • In tribal villages in the middle of nowhere, you meet ethnic minorities in the Ninh Binh region and calm your soul at the rippling rice paddies in Mai Chau
  • You conclude with a beach holiday, with time for relaxation, the beach and extra excursions

Our prices always include

  • All international and domestic flights
  • All destination transfers
  • All specified excursions and activities
  • All accommodations
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Hanoi, Vietnam

Departure day, where you will fly to Hanoi with connecting flights along the way.

Day 2: Arrival in Hanoi

After arriving in Hanoi, you will pass through immigration before collecting your luggage. You will be met in the arrivals hall by a guide holding a TourCompass sign, who will accompany you to the hotel where you will be spending the next nights. Having checked in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to do with as you wish.

For example, you can saunter along the busy streets and alleyways of the exotic old quarter, stopping as you please to admire the sights and sounds of this amazing city. Hoan Kiem Lake is close by; it takes about half an hour to walk all the way around it – a delightful stroll in the shade of the tall trees.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Hanoi

An exciting sightseeing tour to Hanoi’s top sights awaits you today.

You’ll start by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which was built in honour of the Republic of Vietnam’s first president and national icon, Ho Chi Minh, who lived and worked in Hanoi for most of his life. The complex includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed from 1 October to 30 November every year.

The tour continues from here to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which was a centre of political power for more than a century. Research and excavations are still ongoing, and it is also recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Before the sightseeing tour continues, there will be a lunch break when you will be served a light lunch consisting of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) or bun cha (Vietnamese meatballs with noodles).

The next stop is the 11th century Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam’s first university. The nation’s powerful officials, the Mandarins, were educated here in accordance with Confucian teachings.

Finally, you also see the iconic Long Bien Bridge over the Red River before enjoying a 30-minute cyclo tour through the narrow, chaotic streets and alleys of The Old Quarter.

The day rounds off with a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a local café, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.

Day 4: Hanoi – Mai Chau

Just a few hours’ drive from Hanoi lies Mai Chau, one of the most beautiful valleys in Vietnam. This is an absolute gem with fantastic paddy fields nestling between limestone mountains, as well as villages that are home to ethnic minorities including H’mong, Thai and Dzao people – and very few tourists. It is the perfect place to experience undisturbed landscapes and villages that preserve the traditional way of life.

After arrival and check-in at the hotel, you will be served a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon, it is time to head off on a hike to a couple of the nearby villages – Pom Coong and Lac, for example – and to the Mo Luong grotto.

The day winds up with a delightful dinner featuring local delicacies, served while a local troupe of Muong or Thai provides entertainment.

Accommodation:
Day 5: Mai Chau – Tam Coc – Hoa Lu

To start the day a tasty, international breakfast will be served in the restaurant, which provides a magnificent view out over the lake, the paddy fields and the swimming pool. From Mai Chau, the tour proceeds via Tam Coc to Hoa Lu, where you will visit the Dinh and Le temples. These are the only two temples that remain from the old citadel in Hoa Lu. The Hoa Lu citadel was an important imperial palace in Vietnam 1,000 years ago. It was here that the Le dynasty took over from the Dinh dynasty.

After lunch, you will head off on a 2-hour sailing tour along the Ngo Dong River. The landscape along the river is utterly magical. The water flows gently through the flat landscape, which is broken only by ‘sugar top’ mountains – almost like Ha Long Bay; only on land.

Day 6: Hoa Lu – Ha Long Bay

You will be picked up from the hotel and driven to Ha Long Bay – a drive of around 4 hours. A stop for a break will be made along the way.

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most unique nature areas. Hundreds of green-clad limestone cliffs protrude from the sea almost vertically, and the water below shifts between deep blue to jade green over the course of the year. Many of the islands have large grottos. On the large island of Cat Ba, there are several villages, and on some of the smaller islands there are small fishing villages. To tourists, Ha Long Bay is first and foremost a wonderful, world-class area of natural beauty, while for the Vietnamese, it is also associated with legends of dragons and drama. Ha Long Bay covers an area of around 1,500 km² and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

When you arrive in Ha Long Bay, a classic Vietnamese wooden junk will be waiting to sail you out onto the breathtaking bay. The junk sets off for the secluded islands out in the bay, letting you take in the beautiful scenery of the sea and the scenic islands. Various activities are offered on the junk, including a cookery class, but you can also choose just to relax and enjoy life, the view of the islands and the floating fishing villages, perhaps sneaking in a swim in the turquoise waters.

In the evening, you can order a drink from the bar and enjoy what is probably Vietnam’s most beautiful sunset over the huge limestone mountains.

NB: In the event of inclement weather or storms, the Vietnamese authorities reserve the right to bar sailing in Ha Long Bay for safety reasons. This happens a few times a year. In this case, the mini-cruise will be replaced with a hotel stay and an excursion in Hanoi.

Accommodation:
Possible upgrades:
Day 7: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang

Start the day with a refreshing dip in the clear waters of Ha Long Bay, or perhaps you’d like to enjoy the sunrise from the magnificent sun deck. You can also participate in the morning’s keep-fit session (usually tai chi) on the sun deck.

Breakfast is served as the boat calmly begins to head back to port. Along the way, you will visit Sung Sot Cave with its impressive stalagmites and stalactites. We recommend that you wear closed-toe shoes for this excursion.

When the junk sails you in to the shore, you will disembark and meet your guide and driver, who will drive you to Hanoi. You spend a few hours here on your own before being driven to the train station. The night train departs from Hanoi at 7 pm and you arrive in Danang at 11 am the next morning.

For a surcharge, you can fly from Hanoi to Da Nang instead of taking the night train. This option will include an extra night in Hoi An.

Day 8: Da Nang – Hoi An, sightseeing in Hoi An

You wake up to a beautiful view as the train makes its way along the coast. Look out over the green mountains and the beautiful blue sea.

You arrive in Da Nang mid-morning, where you are met by a guide who drives you to your hotel in Hoi An. Having checked in, the rest of the day is at your leisure. You can explore the city on your own or purchase one of our extra excursions.

Hoi An is a wonderful experience and you cannot help but fall in love with the city. It is especially well-known for its charming architecture, impressive silk production, great tailors and its Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Flowing through the heart of the Old Town is the Thu Bon River, which is a glorious example of an international port dating back to the heyday of European and East Asian trading companies from the 16th to the 18th century.

Away from the river, you will find yourself in a maze of cosy, charming streets. Wherever you turn, you will see how the former colonial powers have each made their mark on the district. Colourful lanterns, Japanese houses, Chinese temples and French yellow merchants’ houses fill the cityscape. Shops, street kitchens, cafés and restaurants line the streets, where you can while away several hours connected to the city’s free Wi-Fi.

The fact that Hoi An’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site naturally makes it a major draw for tourists. The streets might be busy, but there is still a lovely calm to the area, and the district has managed to retain its authenticity and charm. It also helps that cars, scooters and motorcycles are denied access.

You spend four nights at this wonderful gem of a place, giving you plenty of time to enjoy and explore different parts of the city.

Days 9-11: Hoi An

The days are yours to do with as you wish. Enjoy the beach, go exploring in Hoi An, visit the Cham temple area … there is no shortage of opportunities.

Day 12: Hoi An – Da Nang – Departure

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven out to the airport to catch your flight from Da Nang to the UK. There will be connecting flights along the way.

Day 13: Arrival in the UK

Arrive back in the UK after a wonderful holiday.

Combine with
Choose from the options below
Beach holiday extension on the island of Phu Quoc
3 nights

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and is located at Vietnam’s west coast, in Siambugtens warm water. The island has beautiful, palm-covered golden sandy beaches and dense green forests central to the island. The water surrounding the island is crystal clear and provides great opportunities for lovely a lovely swim in calm waters. Around the An Thoi islands there are excellent opportunities for diving and snorkelling to enjoy the beautiful reefs. The best time to visit the island is from November to April.

The extension includes a 3-night beach holiday at a hotel with breakfast, flight to Phu Quoc and transfers between the airport and the hotel at Phu Quoc.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
3 nights

Experience the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where you will encounter an exciting mix of modern and old, with beautiful colonial buildings flanked by the shining façades of the skyscrapers, beautiful temples and exotic markets. Look forward to highlights such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Central Post Office designed by the famous French architect Gustav Eiffel, Reunification Palace and the city’s China Town. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s economic dynamo, which is clearly reflected in the large number of smart shops, cafés and restaurants. Finally, this city is where you seriously feel the history from the Vietnam War.

The city is also a great base for day trips to Vietnam’s lush Mekong Delta or the famous Cu Chi tunnels.

The extension includes a 3-night stay at the hotel with breakfast, flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to and from the airport.

Imperial City of Hué
3 nights

Just a 3-hour drive north of Hoi An, you can experience Vietnam’s last imperial capital, Hué, which was the home of the Nguyen imperial dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Despite many of the city’s buildings having been damaged by bombings during the Vietnam War, you can easily take in the atmosphere of the glories of its past. The remaining buildings have been restored and the entire city is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The truly incredible attractions are the gorgeous citadel and the impressive imperial tombs. The citadel was built in the 1800s with the Forbidden City in Beijing as a model, and is located on the northern end of the Huong Suong River, also known as the Perfume River. The river was named for the perfume-like scent that emerges in the fall, when orchids drop into the water and drift with the stream through the city. On the several-kilometre long stretch along the river, the imperial tombs jut out with different magnificent monuments – one for each deceased emperor.

Look forward to tasting the local, traditional cuisine of Hué, which the Vietnamese consider to be the best in the country. A particular emphasis is placed on the aesthetic and harmonious presentation of the food through decorations and colours, creating a gastronomic artwork.

The extension includes a 3-night stay at the hotel with breakfast, transfer between Hoi An and Hué, as well as a transfer to the airport in Hué or Da Nang.

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Laura Arundell Trelborg

Laura loves to travel and is extremely passionate about helping others achieve their travel dreams.

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