Walking Tour
Just the word Vietnam conjures up powerful images. For those over 65, those images are dominated by what led the nightly news during the Vietnam War. Reinforcing those surreal TV memories are the dozens of Hollywood movies set in that place during that time.
Younger folks, especially those who have visited Southeast Asia, have equally powerful images, but these are positive and feature spectacular cultural and natural sights, as well as delicious Vietnamese food. Over the past 20 years, Vietnam has become one of the hottest attractions in southeast Asia.
Here's your chance to visit Vietnam with TravelMaven and reconcile those images yourself.
Vietnam is a long and skinny country, so most tours either go from the northern capital of Hanoi to the southern dynamo of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), or in the opposite direction. In between these two great cities are more things to see than possible in just a couple of weeks. However, we think our tour plan does a super job covering a variety of places and periods.
We start with five nights in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city and cultural centre of gravity. While there, we explore the city and make a day trip to Ninh Binh, home to inland lakes amongst bulging mountains. Our next stop in world-famous Halong Bay for a three day cruise.
After a week in the north, we fly from Hanoi to Danang in the central region. While there, we will spend 5 nights in Hoi An, probably the most popular destination in Vietnam for international tourists. In addition to exploring Hoi An, we also take a day trip to Hue, capital of Vietnam during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Finally, after flying south from Danang, we will spend five nights in Vietnam's largest and most vibrant city, Ho Chi Minh (aka Saigon). Highlights include the Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum and a day on the water in the Mekong delta.
Vietnam is a magical place for many reasons, especially the kind and friendly people who live here. The food is great, the beer is cold and cheap, and the shopping is off-the-charts. Hope you will join us!
TOUR DETAILS
2025:
LAND PACKAGE: C$5,980
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$2,160
Departs Toronto: Wed Nov 12, 2025
Begins in Hanoi: Thu Nov 13, 2025
Ends in Ho Chi Minh: Sat Nov 29, 2025
2026:
LAND PACKAGE: Price tbd
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: Price tbd
Departs Toronto: Thu Nov 12, 2026
Begins in Hanoi: Fri Nov 13, 2026
Ends in Ho Chi Minh: Sun Nov 29, 2026
PACE: Moderate (in heat & humidity)
LENGTH: 17 hotel nights
GROUP SIZE: 4-12 guests
DAILY AGENDA
Day 0: Depart Toronto
2025: Wed Nov 12 / 2026: Thu Nov 12
Since our land package does not include international flights, guests will need to arrange their own transportation to Hanoi. Barry is available to help guests plan their flights.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
2025: Thu Nov 13 / 2026: Fri Nov 13
Welcome to Vietnam! Most flights land in the evening, and our local host, Frank, will be there to greet you and bring you to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore a bit of the Old Quarter.
Hanoi
Day 2: Walking tour of Old Hanoi; Welcome Dinner (B, D)
2025: Fri Nov 14 / 2026: Sat Nov 14
On this day we will walk through the most historic and significant parts of downtown Hanoi with a local guide. Stroll past colonial architecture, ancient temples, and bustling markets as our local guide shares fascinating stories and facts. After a break at the hotel in the afternoon, we’ll regroup and take a short walk to a nearby restaurant for a special Welcome Dinner.
Day 3: Bus Tour of City Sights; free evening (B, L)
2025: Sat Nov 15 / 2026: Sun Nov 15
We will take a bus tour of Hanoi beyond the Old Quarter, that includes lunch and multiple stops. Upon returning to the hotel in mid afternoon, guests will have a free evening
Hanoi
Day 4: Ninh Binh (B, L, D)
2025: Sun Nov 16 / 2026: Mon Nov 16
On this day we will drive an hour to nearby Ninh Binh for a boat tour at Tam Coc, lunch, and a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda before returning to our hotel in Hanoi.
Day 5: Free Day in Hanoi (B)
2025: Mon Nov 17 / 2026: Tue Nov 17
Guests will have a free day to further explore the city or shop for souvenirs.
Day 6: #1 Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)
2025: Tue Nov 18 / 2026: Wed Nov 18
After checking out, we will drive to Halong Bay to catch our cruise ship at noon, just in time for lunch. In the afternoon and evening, guests will enjoy a variety of activities and sights.
Ninh Binh
Day 7: Day #2 Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)
2025: Wed Nov 19 / 2026: Thu Nov 19
This is an exciting day in Halong Bay. It will bring a wide variety of activities, from swimming to caving to kayaking to sunbathing. All meals are buffet style on the boat.
Day 8: Day #3 Halong Bay Cruise; fly to Danang/Hoi An (B, L, D)
2025: Thu Nov 20 / 2026: Fri Nov 20
Our cruise will end just before noon, when we will transfer to the Hanoi airport to catch a flight to Danang, then on to Hoi An. Dinner will be at our hotel.
Halong Bay
Day 9: Walking tour of Hoi An (B, D)
2025: Fri Nov 21 / 2026: Sat Nov 21
This day begins with a walking tour of the historic district. Dinner is at a special local restaurant.
Day 10: Day trip to Hue (B, L)
2025: Sat Nov 22 / 2026: Sun Nov 22
We'll leave the hotel early to drive to the historic capital of Hue, where will will visit the Citadel and explore the coastline between Hue and Danang.
Hue
Day 11: Free Day in Hoi An (B, D)
2025: Sun Nov 23 / 2026: Mon Nov 23
On this day, guests can explore Hoi An on their own. It is a lovely small city to explore on foot, and possibly pick up any tailored clothing that has been ordered.
Day 12: My Son Sanctuary tour; free afternoon & evening (B, L)
2025: Mon Nov 24 / 2026: Tue Nov 24
Early in the morning we will drive to the nearby archeological site of My Son, which dates from the same period as the Siem Reap ruins in Cambodia. Afternoon and evening are free.
Hoi An
Day 13: Fly to Ho Chi Minh; free evening (B)
2025: Tue Nov 25 / 2026: Wed Nov 25
After breakfast, we will transfer to the Danang Airport to catch out flight to Ho Chi Minh. After check-in, guests will find dinner in the nearby market.
Day 14: Cu Chi Tunnels (B, D)
2025: Wed Nov 26 / 2026: Thu Nov 26
For anyone in our group interested in the Vietnam War, a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels is a must. Those who suffer claustrophobia may want to stay outside, but this place offers a fascinating look at how soldiers and their families lived during two decades of war. In the afternoon, several options will be presented.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 15: Mekong Delta (B, L)
2025: Thu Nov 27 / 2026: Fri Nov 27
This day features a tour into the Mekong Delta. While there, we will see plantations and the nature that dominates this massive river delta.
Day 16: War Remnants Museum; Farewell Dinner (B, D)
2025: Fri Nov 28 / 2026: Sat Nov 28
On our final day in Vietnam, we will visit the War Remnants Museum which includes many relics of the 'American War'. After some free time for last minute shopping, we will go to a special restaurant for our Farewell Dinner.
Day 17: End of tour; fly to Toronto (B)
2025: Sat Nov 29 / 2026: Sun Nov 29
After breakfast and check-out, we will head to the airport to catch our flights home.
Ho Chi Minh