Vietnam Cuisine & Culture

For flight from Perth: VN790 @ 00:50/ 06:10

Upon arrival Tan Son Nhat airport early in the morning at around 06:00 am, local guide will welcome and take you to the city center, leave your luggage at hotel reception then be guided to restaurant for breakfast on your own. Free morning to discover attractions around hotel or just simple relax at hotel lobby until time to check in at about 14:00 pm. Free afternoon then guide and car will take you for a dinner out in an open kitchen street side restaurant and enjoy special Vietnamese cuisine with a glass of beer or fresh coconut while watching chief preparing food with their skill. Overnight in Saigon.

For flight from Sydney & Melbourne: VN772 @ 11:50/16:40

Upon arrival Tan Son Nhat airport in the afternoon around 16:00 pm, local guide will welcome and take you to the city center for hotel check-in. Guide and car will take you for a dinner out in an open kitchen street side restaurant and enjoy special Vietnamese cuisine with a glass of beer or fresh coconut while watching chief preparing food with their skill. Overnight in Saigon.

Meals Included: Dinner at a local restaurant

After breakfast at hotel, we will visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Located 60km from Saigon, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their day, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.

Today, ducks and water buffaloes happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation of this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”. Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war). Return to city center. Overnight in Saigon.

Option 2: Mekong Delta

7.30 am our tour guide will welcome you at your hotel before heading to My Tho city by bus. Enjoy the scenery and green rice paddies during the one-and-a-half-hour bus ride. Along the way, we will visit Vinh Trang pagoda, the biggest pagoda in the Mekong delta. Continue to My Tho, where we take a boat trip along the Mekong River, where you can see fish cages and floating houses on the river.

The boat takes you to a small canal, escaping the hustle and bustle of the town. We disembark at a coconut island in Ben Tre and enjoy a walk around the village. Stop at a local family home to enjoy tropical fruit, taste the honey tea and honey wine and listen to Vietnamese traditional music performed by the villagers. Check out the coconut candy shop and learn how to make candy, and see handicrafts made from the coconuts.

Take your time snapping photos and enjoy the natural scenery before we head to the local restaurant. Lunch is set with special Vietnamese food. Enjoy your lunch outside under the shade of the trees. After lunch, enjoy your time relaxing, walking around the village, or perhaps going for a short bike ride. Travel back to Saigon and arrive around 5.00 pm for the end of the tour.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Free whole day for your leisure or join our optional tours (For the best services, kindly book in advanced at least 01 prior day). Overnight in Saigon.

Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. This city has many well-known attractions, including the War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market. Let discover this city to make your Saigon the most valuable on your own today!

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

Flight suggested: Departure time from 11:30 – 15:00

Breakfast at hotel. Check out then transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Local guide will meet at the airport. Transfer to Hoi An. Check in hotel and overnight in Hoi An.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. At around 08:00 am guide will Pick up at your hotel then depart to Ba Na hills. Arrive at the cable car station. Sitting in the cabin, in mid-air, looking upon the endless tree line of the forest. Experiencing the pristine ecological system of the Ba Na Mountain will leave you with a sense of unforeseeable discovery. Visit the Le Jardin, old wineries – remains of French Villas and Linh Ung pagoda with 27m high Buddha statue. Leave Le Jardin for Gare Debay, the second cable car station, to go to the top of Ba Na. Visit and play games at the Fantasy Park- Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park- the third largest indoor amusement park in the world (only some free games depending on Ba Na policy).

11h30: Have buffet lunch at Restaurant.

After lunch, Conquer the Peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1,487m. Enjoy the panorama view of the Da Nang from the top of Ba Na Hills. And then visit Golden Bridge. Return to cable car station and transfer to Da Nang. Return to your hotel around 15:00. Free afternoon for leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel. Buffet Lunch in Ba Na Hill.

Flight suggested: Departure time from 11:30 – 15:00

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Hanoi. Local guide will welcome at Noi Bai airport then transfer to Hanoi center. Check in and free afternoon for leisure. Enjoy the famous Vietnamese noodle “Pho” in a restaurant with the traditional flavour and taste. You are invited a bowl of Pho served with banh quay and a drink you can choose from a can of local beer, soft drink, fruit shake or just simple a bottle of drinking water. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel. Dinner with Vietnamese noodle “Pho”

***The cruise itinerary can be changed depends on the weather condition for tourist comfort and safety

Checking out hotel after breakfast. Transfer to Ha Long by shuttle bus of the cruise. Arrive and check in onboard then follow the schedule of the cruise.

Program of Garden Bay Cruise (3 Star)

Arriving at Sun World International Harbor, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City. Transfer to Tonkin Cruise Boat by tender (5 -10 minutes). Enjoy welcome drink, safety briefing then check-in to your cabin. Cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay & having lunch with Set Menu. Kayaking to explore some lagoons, swimming, relaxing at the beach in Cap La. Relax and enjoy the sunset party with Happy Hour (from 5h30pm- 7h30pm) while the boat is cruising to Cong Dong-Cong Do area to anchor for overnight. Having BBQ dinner (on the sundeck if condition permit otherwise in the restaurant). Free evening to join some activities of board games or squid fishing, play guitar, watch movies or karaoke (advance request) or taste the variety of drinks at our luxury sky bar (chargeable) with wines, cocktails, brandy, juices…

Program of Calypso Cruise (4 Star)

From Tuan Chau wharf, Tuan Chau Island of Ha Long city, we go to Calypso Cruise by small boat. A warmly welcome drinks will be served upon arrival the cruise then has a short time for check in proceeds: get a brief introduction and safety guidelines then check in. Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Ha Long Bay, admiring the fascinating nature, then anchor at Lan Ha Bay area. Join a guide to explore hidden parts of the bay, the area of Dark and Bright cave where to goes through the cave, under the mountain to a lake which is formed by a Karst – well like a dragon eye inside the mountain. This is a very beautiful sight that visitors like the most. You share a sampan with other tourists with a local rower OR taking a kayak on your own. Return to Calypso Cruises for changing swimming suits then join swimming time in the sea or at the swimming pool on sundeck. At 17:30, enjoy happy hours with various drinks on discounts, try swimming pool and charming the bay with our handsome bartenders. Sunset can be seen from the sundeck if it is a lucky day then take part in a cooking demonstration and food décor with our Chef. At 19:00, Join dinner at Calypso Cruises restaurant. Time of relaxation after a day on sundeck, leisure in room for watching films, sing karaoke in restaurant or go to tender for squid fishing with cruise staffs. Overnight in Lan Ha Bay.

Program of La Regina Grand (5 Star)

Arrive at La Regina private lounge – Lot 24, Tuan Chau Marina – Ha Long, enjoy welcome drink and express check-in before boarding. Transferred by speed boat to La Regina Grand Cruises. Welcome aboard the cruise, refresh with our welcome drink while Cruise Manager briefing cruise orientation, activities & on-board safety. The boat starts to cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Cruise leaves to explore Lan Ha Bay. You will enjoy a meal that features the distinctive Vietnamese cuisine taste while relaxing and avoiding the crowds on well-travelled roads. You will arrive at Light and Dark Cave – one of the best attractions on Lan Ha Bay which is best known for its pristine and tranquil beauty. Exploring the area by local boat or kayaking. After that, you can swim in the green emerald and cool water around the cruise. Return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the special “Happy Hour”. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls. If the weather permits, enjoy dinner on the sundeck or in Ha Long Bar & Restaurant, which is on the second floor. You will have the chance to savour meals produced from premium, fresh ingredients in a distinctive fusion style that fuses the essence of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with the innovative influences of modern cuisine. After dinner, it’s your choice for a fun squid fishing, spa (charge fees) or relaxing. Overnight onboard.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch and dinner onboard.

***The cruise itinerary can be changed depends on the weather condition for tourist comfort and safety

Program of Garden Bay Cruise (3 Star)

Wake up early in the morning for taichi exercise. Have a light breakfast. Visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village by bamboo boat to discover the daily life of the fisher communities. Back to the main boat, relaxing, packing up. Checking out and relaxing on the sundeck. Enjoy the last scenery of the Ha Long Bay over lunch when the boat cruises back to shore. Disembark and relax in our cafe lounge. Take the shuttle bus of the cruise to go back to Hanoi. Check in and overnight in Hanoi.

Program of Calypso Cruise (4 Star)

Welcome a new day with amazing dawn on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin. Refresh your body & soul by taking a Tai-chi lesson on sundeck. Have breakfast in the restaurant. Join a guided and get your hands on some Kayaking to explore Tra Bau area. For those who do not fancy at kayaking can swim at the swimming pool on sundeck or swim in the sea. Return to Calypso Cruises for shower. Check out of your room. An early lunch will be severed. After paying the bills, a small boat will take all of us to Tuan Chau wharf. Disembark at pier and take the shuttle bus of the cruise to go back to Hanoi. Check in and overnight in Hanoi.

Program of La Regina Grand (5 Star)

Greet the new day on the sundeck with a taichi session. Enjoy the fresh air on the bay while you unwind with a cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy a quick breakfast on board and get your day going with plenty of energy. You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere. It will take you around 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Lunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor. Disembark at pier & back to Tuan Chau Marina by speed boat. Take the shuttle bus of the cruise to go back to Hanoi. Check in and overnight in Hanoi.

Meal included: Light breakfast & Brunch onboard

Breakfast at hotel. Free whole day for your leisure or join our optional tours (For the best services, kindly book in advanced at least 01 prior day). Overnight in Hanoi.

Founded over 1000 years ago, Vietnam’s capital city is rich in history, with the streets of its rambling Old Quarter dating back to the 14th century. Wandering these tree-lined lanes past crumbling colonial facades will transport you back in time. However, today’s Hanoi is about much more than the past. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and cool art galleries. When the sun goes down, you have your pick of watering holes, from sophisticated rooftop bars to buzzing bia hoi. Let’s plan your free day to be a memorable day in this historical city now!

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

Flight to Perth: transit in Saigon.
– Hanoi – Saigon: VN247 @ 10:00am/12:15pm
– Saigon – Perth: VN791 @15:50/ 23:05

Flight to Sydney & Melbourne:
– Hanoi – Sydney: VN787 @ 23:35/13:15
– Sydney – Melbourne.

Your final day starts with breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out. You will then be transferred to the airport for the departure flight to the next destination or back home. Farewell.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

Standard Class 3 ⭐️

Superior Class 4 ⭐️

Deluxe Class 5 ⭐️

Departure from Sydney & Melbourne on
2024: 21 Jul, 11 Aug, 08 Sep, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 01 Dec.
2025: 19 Feb, 16 Mar, 06 Apr, 11 May, 06 Jun.

Departure from Perth on
2024: 30 Jul, 27 Aug, 17 Sep, 08 Oct, 05 Nov, 10 Dec.
2025: 25 Feb, 25 Mar, 01 Apr, 06 May, 10 Jun.

* Our Add-on Interstate Surcharges from Brisbane/ Adelaide & New Zealand to Sydney/ Melbourne will be the BEST to create through Airfares.

We tailor-made holidays to your schedule with the best prices for small private groups.

Please email us your departure date & departure city => [email protected] or hotlines 1300 309 117

• Return international Vietnam Airlines airfare from Sydney/ Melbourne / Perth
• 02 domestic airfares: Saigon to Danang, Danang to Hanoi
• Consider before you fly (Click here)

• 02 days 01 night on cruise in Ha Long (shared cabin on shared Cruise)

• Meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in itinerary
  • Daily breakfast at hotel.
  • 01 lunch + 01 Dinner + 1 brunch on cruise in Halong Bay
  • 01 buffet lunch in Bana Hill restaurant
  • 01 Dinner in Saigon with Vietnamese style cuisines
  • 01 Dinner in Hanoi with specialties: Pho

Highlight Meals:
In Saigon:
Menu 1:

• Banh Xeo: 01 piece/ 02 person
• Grilled pork noodle served with sweet & sour fish sauce and herbs: 01 bowl/ 01 person
• Drink (choose one of these): local beer/ soft drink/ fresh coconut/ mineral water

Menu 2:

• Spring rolls: 5 pieces/ person
• Vietnamese thick noodle soup (banh canh): 01 bowl/ 01 person
• Drink (choose one of these): local beer/ soft drink/ fresh coconut/ mineral water

In Hanoi:
Menu 1:

• Special combination fresh rolls, spring rolls, green mango salad: 01 plate/ person
• Chicken noodle “Phở gà”: 01 bowl/ person
• Mixed fried rice with shrimp: 01 plate/ person
• Dessert: mixed seasonal fresh fruit with Yogurt.
• Drink (choose one of these): local beer/ soft drink/ mineral water.

Menu 2:

• Special combination shrimp & sweet potatoes cake “West lake style”, Fresh rolls, green papaya & dried beef: 01 plate/ person
• Hanoi traditional grilled pork noodle: 01 bowl/ person
• Seafood fried rice: 01 plate/ person
• Dessert: black sticky rice sweet soup flavored with coconut milk
• Drink (choose one of these): local beer/ soft drink/ mineral water.

• 02 bottles of mineral water per person per day

• Local English speaking guides

• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
  • 1 – 2 pax: 07 car seats
  • 3 – 7 pax: van of 16 seats
  • 8 – 12 pax: coach of 29 seats
  • 13 – 15 pax: coach of 35 seats

• Entrance tickets at tourism sites indicated in the program

• Visa to Vietnam (Clients can click here to apply E-visa online or contact VN Holidays team to help with service fee.)
• Travel insurance
• Entrance fee to Hoi An town
• Early check-in or late check-out
• Meals, drinks, tips, and all not mentioned
• Items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, beverages,…)
• Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
• Peak season surcharges if any
• Optional excursions and activities

Optional Tours:

Program: WATER PUPPETRY & DINNER ON SAIGON PRINCESS CRUISE (Private tour)

Included: Pick-up hotel to water puppet theatre by tricycle. Water puppets show entrance ticket. Transportation: Water puppet theater to Saigon port & Saigon port to hotel. English speaking guide. The most luxury dinner cruise in Saigon with 5 dishes menu of choice (Asian seafood/ Fusion/ European)
Duration: 3 hours
Itinerary: Early in the evening, at around 18:00pm, our guide will pick you up at hotel for the tour begins with a tricycle trip from your hotel to the water-puppet theatre. Water-puppetry is an ancient puppet tradition and an important part of Vietnamese culture. In water-puppetry, puppets are played on the surface of a pool of water, while a Vietnamese orchestra of professional musicians accompanied by an array of talented singers provide background music for the performance. Enjoy watching the puppet show and learning more about Vietnamese rural life and folklore. Many of the programs, especially those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist. After the show, we’ll take you to Saigon River to board a junk for a cruise. Take the time here to admire the lights of Saigon city from the river. Dinner will be served on the cruise, which you can enjoy while cruising along Saigon River. The tour ends around 9.30pm, when we’ll return you to your hotel.

Program: MY SON HOLLY LAND (Seat in coach – MINIMUM 2 PAX)

Included: Pick-up & drop-off at hotel in Hoi An. English speaking guide. Boat trip. Entrance fee. Lunch in a local restaurant.
Duration: Half day tour
Itinerary: At about 07:30 morning our guide pick you up at your hotel and depart to My Son Sanctuary – The World Cultural Heritage, located 45 km from Hoi An. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 4th to 15th centuries. We will spend 2 hours to discover the site by walking throughout the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, enjoying the Champa’s traditional performances. Get back to van and move to a local house to learn how to make rice paper, you will enjoy your own hand-making product later then have lunch in another local house and relax with cold herbal tea while feeling the cool wind & fresh air of the countryside. Take a boat trip on Hoai River for the way back to Hoi An. From the boat you will enjoy the beauty of typical peaceful countryside in Vietnam. Arrive at Hoi An ancient town and finish tour at hotel around 14:00.

Program: RURAL LIFE AT COCONUT VILLAGE (Seat in coach – MINIMUM 2 PAX)

Included: Hotel pick-up & drop-off. English speaking guide. Bamboo basket boat. Entrance fee. Lunch in a local restaurant.
Duration: Half day tour
Itinerary: At about 09:00 am our guide picks you up at hotel lobby and transfer to the motorboat for travelling to Cam Thanh water coconut village. While the boat cruises along the river, observing beautiful Hoi An rural lives with water coconut forest in the background. Transferring from the main boat to the bamboo basket boat and slowly rowing to the village. During these basket boat tours, you will learn more about the water coconut ecosystem, as well as how the locals of Cam Thanh Village spend their days. Your guide may show you how to paddle the basket boat you are in and may even allow you to paddle for a little bit if you wish. One of the most mesmerizing parts of your Cam Thanh Coconut Village tour will be when you are in the middle of the beautiful water coconut forest. A feeling of calm will be present, and you will appreciate every moment you are there, away from your ordinarily busy life. Together with local fishermen, throwing fish nets, catching fishes, mud-crabs, coconut mussels (an indigenous specie that can only be found here) and turning coconut leaves into fun items. Arrive at the village around 11:30 and take a welcome drink for a short nap before lunch with Vietnamese set menu in a local restaurant. Transferring back to your hotel after lunch and finish this tour at around 13:30 pm.

Program: HOI AN COUNTRYSIDE VESPA TOUR (Seat in coach)

Included: Pick up and drop off IN & AROUND Hoi An Ancient Town. Vintage Army style motorbike/scooter/Vespa – driver – petrol for entire journey. Experienced & licensed driver. Tickets & Entrance Fees. Taxes & permits. Helmet & rain poncho. English speaking guide. Home-cooked meal at local family. Local travel insurance
Duration: 4,5 hours (Morning tour: 07:30 – 12:00 Lunch end tour/ Afternoon tour: 14:00 – 18:00 Dinner end tour)
Itinerary: Morning tour: 7:30-12:30 depart by motorbike and return Hoi An Town Centre (at our meeting point) by shuttled transfer.
Afternoon tour: 14:00-18:30 by motorbike and return Hoi An Town Centre (at our meeting point) by shuttled transfer. Meet at the designated location and begin your Hoi An Countryside Vespa Tour.
Visit a local farm, learn about rice, vegetable, and cereal crop cultivation, and experience the daily life of local farmers. Discover traditional occupations in the countryside, such as weaving, rice-wine making, and woodcarving. Learn about newer industries like bird’s nest farming and aquaculture.
Lunch/Dinner: Head to a local family’s home for a delicious home-cooked meal, providing you with a unique insight into the lives of middle-class Vietnamese people. Reflect on your experiences and the new friendships formed during your day in the countryside. Say goodbye to your local hosts and return to the designated drop-off location by shuttle transfer, bringing with you the memories of an unforgettable journey through rural Hoi An.

Program: HANOI EVENING STREET FOOD – Private tour (MINIMUM 2 PAX)

Included: English speaking guide, Hanoi Street food & drinks as mentioned.
Duration: 3 hours
Itinerary: Your English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Bun Cha Ta, Nem Ran, Pho… at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago. Now, it’s time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk – this specialty is one not to be missed! Your local guide will take you to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden café inside the old quarter. This hard-to-find café is one of the few lefts in the city that still serves egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy that we will sample whilst admiring the hustle and bustle of the city center below. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits! At the end of our Hanoi Street food tour you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

Please kindly note that Australian passport holders need to apply for a visa to visit Vietnam.

The visa-free stay period is counted from THE DATE OF ENTRY. Please apply for an E-Visa to Vietnam at least 15 days before the date of entry.

For Vietnam visa it can be easily obtained online via this link: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

• The itinerary can be changed due to weather, tide levels, and operating conditions.
• Programmers, prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of proposal submission and are subject to change thereafter without advance notice until all services have been paid in full.

• Your special requests (diet, vegetarian,…) should be sent before your departure date.

• Certain parts of the tours on offer are provided by independent third parties, such as airlines, hotels, transport operators and local tourist offices.
• VN Holidays is not responsible for any loss or theft, injury or damage caused thereby to the tourists, including those occurring outside of the normal touring programmers.
• Additional expenses incurred due to delay, accident, natural disaster, political actions and unrest shall be borne by the tourists.