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
LAND PACKAGE: C$xxx (US$xxx)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$xxx (US$xxx)
PACE: Moderate (in heat & humidity)
LENGTH: 17 hotel nights
GROUP SIZE: 4-12 guests
DATES:
Departs Toronto: Nov 10, 2025
Begins in Hanoi: Nov 11, 2025
Ends in Ho Chi Minh: Nov 28, 2025
LAND PACKAGE INCLUDES:
GM Premium Hotel Hanoi (or similar) 5 nts
Bai Tho Cruise ship Halong Bay (or similar) 2 nts
Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel (or similar) 5 nts
Silverland Yen Hotel HCM (or similar) 5 nts
Breakfasts (17)
Lunches (x)
Dinners (x)
All tours & activities listed
Halong Bay cruise (3 days)
Flight: Hanoi to Danang
Flight: Danang to Ho Chi Minh
Local guides (An An Tours)
Private ground transportation
All taxes and fees.
This tour is guaranteed to depart with 4 guests. The Land Package price is in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy, and guaranteed after the 20% deposit is received.
DAILY AGENDA
Day 1 (Fri Nov 8, 2024) Depart Toronto
There are several flight options departing Toronto, mostly arriving in Hanoi Saturday evening. Another option is to depart at midnight Thursday on EVA Airlines, arriving about noon Saturday.
Day 2 (Sat Nov 9) Arrive in Hanoi
Most flights arrive in the evening. Barry will meet all guests at the airport and manage transportation to our hotel. Depending on arrival time, guests may have time to explore a little bit of the Old Quarter.
HANOI
Day 3 (Sun Nov 10) Walking tour of Old Hanoi; Welcome Dinner (B, L, D)
On this day we will walk through the most historic and significant parts of downtown Hanoi with a local guide. Lunch will be included. After a break back at the hotel in the afternoon, the group will walk to a nearby restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.
Day 4 (Mon Nov 11) Bus Tour of City Sights; free evening (B, L)
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 5 (Tue Nov 12) Ninh Binh boat tour, cycling to Bich Dong Pagoda (B, L, D)
After checking out, we will transfer by bus to Ninh Binh city for a boat tour at Tam Coc and lunch. Afterwards, we will cycle to nearby Bich Dong Pagoda for a tour. Dinner is at our traditional accommodation.
Day 6 (Wed Nov 13) Day #1 Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)
We will depart Ninh Binh and 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 (Thu Nov 14) Day #2 Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)
Everyone wants to check out the placeThe day 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 (Fri Nov 15) Day #3 Halong Bay Cruise; fly to Hue (B, L, D)
Our cruise will end just before noon, when we will transfer to the Hanoi airport to catch out flight to this 19th century capital of Vietnam. Dinner will be at our hotel.
HALONG BAY
Day 9 (Sat Nov 16) Tour Historic Capital of Hue (B, L, D)
This day combines tours of the Hue Citadel and free time for everyone to explore this small and charming city on their own. Dinner is at a special local restaurant.
Day 10 (Sun Nov 17) Train to Danang, City Tour; transfer to Hoi An (B, L)
First thing is a train ride from Hue to Danang along the spectacular Vietnamese coast. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Son Tra Peninsula for lunch. Afterwards, we will stop at Marble Mountain on our way to Hoi An, Vietnam's most popular destination for western tourists.
HUE
Day 11 (Mon Nov 18) Free Morning in Hoi An; Food Tour in late afternoon; Free Evening (B, D)
Hoi An is a lovely small city to explore on foot. In the late afternoon, a local guide will take those interested in a food tour through the markets and local restaurants. The evening is free.
Day 12 (Tue Nov 19) My Son Sacturary tour; free afternoon & evening (B, L)
On our final dEarly 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 (Wed Nov 20) Fly to Can Tho; Night Market (B, D)
After breakfast, we will transfer to the Danang Airport to catch out flight to Can Tho in the Mekong River Delta near the Cambodian border. After check-in, we will find dinner at the local Night Market.
Day 14 (Thu Nov 21) Cai Rang Floating Market; Mekong Delta (B, L)
We will get up before dawn to visit the largest floating market in Vietnam. After returning to our hotel for breakfast, we will check out and head towards Ho Chi Minh, stopping in Con Phung for lunch.
CAN THO
Day 15 (Fri Nov 22) Ho Chi Minh City; Cu Chi Tunnels (B, D)
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.
Day 16 (Sat Nov 23) War Remnants Museum; Farewell Dinner (B, D)
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 (Sun Nov 24) End of tour; fly to Toronto (B)
After breakfast and check-out, we will head to the airport to catch our flights home.
HO CHI MINH