13 Days Vietnam SIC Tour Super Promotion

Depart today from Australia (or New Zealand) for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Touchdown at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and meet up with your driver and local guide who will transfer you to your accommodation. There are no planned activities today, so settle into your hotel or step out on your own to discover this metropolis of over nine million people and possibly even more motorbikes and scooters.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), previously known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s most bustling and cosmopolitan city. Home to French colonial architecture as well as modern office towers, HCMC is experiencing a boom in development and creativity. With new metro lines under construction and speakeasy bars popping up in laneways and rooftops, the city is in a constant flux of change.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: No Meal.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

Today, journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels (approximately 60 kilometers) that were constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the country’s long fight for independence. On arrival, watch a short introduction video to learn more about their construction before exploring a section of tunnels used as hospitals, schools, kitchens, weapon storage, command centers and living quarters.

The hidden tunnel system was an excellent way for the Vietcong to move around the countryside undetected by foreign troops and was, at one stage, home to around 10,000 people.

View the remains of American tanks and numerous bomb craters before returning to Ho Chi Minh City where you will have the option of being dropped back at the hotel, or at the nearby War Remnants Museum (entrance not included) where you can make your own way back to the hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

Today, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang International Airport (approximately 90 minutes). Upon arrival, be met by your local guide and drive onwards to the ancient coastal city of Hoi An (approx. 50 kilometers). On arrival in Hoi An, check in to your accommodation. Later this afternoon, head out on an introductory walking tour of the fascinating UNESCO heritage Hoi An Ancient town.

Set off with your local guide on a walking tour to discover the ancient town of Hoi An. Start with a visit to the Museum of History and Culture, which showcases relics that span 2,000 years of Hoi An’s rich history. Gain an insight into the local heritage and view several Cham artifacts and photographs before continuing to the Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link it with the Chinese quarters. Stroll through the central market, discover various fresh and dried ingredients used to create delicious Vietnamese food and meet some of the local vendors. Step into the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, dedicated to Thien Hau, the sea goddess. Finally, uncover the unique architecture of Tan Ky ancient house. Built over two centuries ago, the design highlights the influence of both European, Vietnamese and Chinese styles.

Finish the day back at the hotel for an evening at leisure.

• Overnight: in Hoi An.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

A full day at leisure to enjoy some shopping in Hoi An town or visit the beach.

We recommend An Bang Beach, located about 4 kilometers north of Hoi An.

If you want to try some typical local food, here are a few helpful hints:

• For street food lovers, we highly recommend trying a Banh Mi sandwich at Madam Khanh’s stall (115 Tran Cao Van Street), a legendary Cao Lau soup, or a plate of crispy Hoanh Thanh.
• If you’re craving seafood, head to Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, which runs along the river to the east of the Old Quarter. Grab a seat at Song Thu Restaurant and ask for a menu with prices on it.

• Overnight: in Hoi An.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

A full day at leisure to enjoy some shopping in Hoi An town or visit the beach.

• Overnight: in Hoi An.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

After breakfast, return to Da Nang International Airport (approximately 50 kilometres) for your flight north to Hanoi (approximately one and a half hours). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Later this afternoon, join a walking tour to discover real life in Hanoi. Visit a local market and mingle with the vendors, stroll around the picturesque West Lake and enter Quan Thanh, a sacred Taoist temple and Cua Bac Parish Church, a Roman Catholic church built in the early 20th century by the French administration and one of the most beautiful in Hanoi. Return to your accommodation, where you may enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

• Overnight: in Hanoi.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

07:45 Shuttle pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter for transfer to Ha Long – Lan Ha Bay (for guests who have booked limousine or shuttle services).
11:30 Check-in at the Waiting Lounge Aurora Cruises at No.28A Tuan Chau Harbor. Board the transfer boat to Aurora Cruise.
12:30 A welcome drink is served as you check in, and the Cruise Manager gives a safety briefing and an introduction to the cruise schedule.
13:20 Savor a delicious lunch whilst enjoying the majestic views of Lan Ha Bay – an extension of Halong Wonder which is much quieter and has fewer tourists. We will pass the famous Turtle Islet, Candle Islet and thousands of uniquely shaped limestone towers and islands.
15:30 The cruise will take you to “Tra Bau” to enjoy kayaking and swimming. This is a famous filming location for the movie Kong: Skull Island in Quang Ninh in 2018.
17:00 Return to Aurora Cruise for a Sunset Party. Join our HAPPY HOUR: Buy 02 get 01 drink while enjoying the amazing scenery while watching the sunset over the sundeck.
18:00 Cooking Class: The chef will guide you in making Traditional Vietnamese Fresh Spring rolls, which you’ll get to savor afterward.
19:15 SPECIAL: A romantic candlelit dinner served on the Aurora cruise ,featuring gourmet Vietnamese cuisine crafted by the cruise’s 5-star chefs.
21:30 After dinner, you will enjoy the peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as sing a song, enjoy drinks at Sky Bar (chargeable), massage (chargeable) and participate in the squid fishing program at the boat.
22:00 Overnight on-board Aurora Cruise. End of the first day’s itinerary on board.

• Overnight: in Lan Ha Bay.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

06:00 Start your day with a Taichi session on the sundeck, taking in the tranquility of the bay. For a chance to see the sunrise, wake up between 5:30 – 6:00 AM, with guidance from the crew.
06:15 Enjoy light breakfast with tea, coffee, and pastries as the cruise heads to the next destination. Explore Dark and light cave by bamboo boat.
07:45 Return to the Aurora Cruise, complete the check-out procedures, and return your room key to the reception.
09:15 Time for check out.
09:30 A brunch is served as the cruise heads back to the harbor. Relax on the sundeck, taking in the serenity of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
10:30 A transfer boat will return you to the Tuan Chau Harbor Waiting Lounge.
11:00 Transfer back to hotel in Hanoi by cruise’s shuttle limousine.

• Overnight: in Hanoi.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

This morning you will depart to Tam Coc, in the Ninh Binh province, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam. Here you will visit the Dinh King and Le King temples from the 10th Century, learning about the heroic histories of these two kings during the Chinese wars. Afterwards, continue to Tam Coc where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, enjoy a bamboo boat ride on the Hoang Long River to see Tam Coc (three caves). It takes approximately two hours to go up and down the river and along the way you witness local fisherfolk, village life, and of course, the striking limestone karst formations that Tam Coc is famous for.

In the early evening, arrive at the hotel where you will enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

• Overnight: in Ninh Binh.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

After breakfast, drive to the Trang An – Ecotourism Complex. The site features worldwide value for geological, geomorphological, archaeological and aesthetic tectonics, which has been honored by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site. Here, enjoy another 2-hour bamboo boat journey to admire its outstanding beauty known as “Ha Long Bay on land”.

Enjoy a lovely lunch at a local restaurant with many traditional dishes and Vietnamese tea before continuing to Bich Dong Pagoda and returning to the hotel for the evening.

• Overnight: in Ninh Binh.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

After breakfast, return back to Hanoi with a stop at Phat Diem Church along the way to admire its architectural beauty.

• Overnight: in Hanoi.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch.
• Accommodation: 3⭐️, 4⭐️, 5⭐️ hotels as mentioned or similar.

Today brings to an end your Vietnam journey. At the appropriate time, receive a transfer (no guide) to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight to Australia.

Please note: Standard check-out time is 11:00, and luggage storage is available at the hotel if you have a flight departing later in the evening.

• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.

Home sweet home.