This tour includes return international airfares. See the Fine Print section for further details.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
River cruises are a relaxed, informal way to travel - there are fewer passengers on board compared to an ocean cruise, which means ample opportunity to make lifelong friends. You will pass through the world's most loved cities and towns; disembark and enjoy a shore excursion or two, or simply wander around and explore on your own.
✓ Includes return international flights with Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways
✓ Small group tour, with no more than 15 travellers
✓ Incredible sightseeing including an overnight cruise in Halong Bay and guided tours of Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Angkor Wat Temples and Phnom Penh
✓ 10 nights in central 4 and 5-star accommodation
✓ 3 nights 5-star Mekong cruise including all meals
✓ Overnight cruise on a deluxe, 4-star traditional junk boat on Halong Bay, including all meals
✓ Breakfast daily, 5 lunch, 4 dinner
✓ Escorted by professional English-speaking tour guides
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Chao mung! Welcome to Vietnam.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the beautiful ancient capital city before a big day of touring tomorrow.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day . If you arrive prior to standard check-in time (generally 3pm), you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and enjoy the hotel facilities or explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
Some flights may depart the night before and fly overnight, to arrive on Day 1
After breakfast, join a city tour of Hanoi and explore the city’s main attractions such as the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda) and Tran Quoc Pagoda – one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. After a morning of sightseeing, continue to a local food outlet to learn how Australian beef is imported and sold to Vietnamese customers.
AUSTRALIAN PREMIUM BEEF WITH A VIETNAMESE TWIST DINNER
Visit a local restaurant where talented chefs combine Australian premium beef and Vietnamese ingredients into a local experience locals can’t have enough of. Pair your meal with a Dalat red wine for a memorable evening full of Vietnamese flavours.
Today, you will travel by coach through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to arrive at Halong Bay for an overnight cruise. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands, dotted with wind and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty.
Upon arrival you will board your ship to visit the thousands of limestone islands filled with caves of all shapes and sizes. The sails of junks and sampans gliding along the clear and emerald waters of the bay form a magnificent scene that blends into the sky. You will also have the opportunity to visit some of the hidden grottoes beneath the towering cliffs.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands, a sight not to be missed! Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong Bay. Head back to shore where your driver will meet you at the Halong jetty for the drive to Hanoi airport. Catch a flight to Da Nang where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Today, enjoy a day of leisure to explore Da Nang or join an optional tour.
Golden Bridge Tour
This morning you’ll be collected from the hotel and transferred to the Ba Na mountains. Travel by cable car to the Marseille station before a short walk to the Golden Bridge. Supported by two giant ‘stone’ hands, the Golden Bridge offers superb views.
Next, walk to the Le Jardin D’Amour - 9 gardens with 9 stories in 9 styles. Continue to the Linh Ung Pagoda to admire its sophisticated architecture together with a 27m high Shakyamuni statue. Finally, catch the cable car downhill and transfer back to Hoi An.
This morning, continue to Hoi An. As an important trading route during the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a unique blend of culture, cuisine and architecture. Step back in time as you wander the narrow streets of this charming former trading port, with its ancient covered bridges and temples.
Explore Hoi An on a walking tour, visiting an old merchant’s home, Hoi An Market, a local Chinese temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The bridge was first constructed here in the 1590s by the Japanese community. Over the centuries its style has remained faithful to the original Japanese design. The French flattened the roadway for cars, but the original arched shape was restored in 1986. Enjoy some free time before a transfer to Da Nang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
This morning, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. During the Vietnam War, guerrilla fighters built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving visitors a unique understanding of what life was like during the Vietnam War. Later this afternoon, embark on a tour of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Visit highlights such as the Post Office, the War Remnant Museum, photograph the Notre Dame Cathedral and soak up the atmosphere at Ben Thanh market, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s liveliest areas.
DINNER ON SAIGON RIVER CRUISE
Dinner on Saigon River Cruise offers an opportunity to witness another side of Saigon.. Hop on your wooden barge and sail down the river. Feel the gentle breeze caressing your skin and enjoy a lovely dinner accompanied by the traditional music and dance performances.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of the city and make the short drive to My Tho. On arrival, board your luxury cruise boat; your home for the next 3 nights. Once welcomed onboard, and after you’ve checked in to your cabin, enjoy a delicious lunch. Relax onboard, maybe enjoy tea on your private balcony or at the open-air bar while the boat glides upstream to reach Cai Be, a charming town well-known for its spiritual Catholic French Church and manufacturer of traditional crafts and food products. Drop anchor near Cai Be for the evening.
This historic town was established in the 19th century by Vietnam’s last ruling family, the Nguyen dynasty, where three provinces meet: Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre. Cai Be would later become the surrounding region’s predominant water-based trading hub.
Enjoy dinner on board and finish the day with a classic movie shown in the lounge.
Wake early, and if you’re feeling limber, join in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy sunrise over the river. First stop of the day is the floating markets, observing boat-to-boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products. Learn about local trading culture and how each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.
Next, enjoy a tour of Cai Be and head ashore to visit a local workshop to learn how rice and coconut products are manufactured. Continue with a cruise through the lush, green canal networks to observe farmers working in their fields. This afternoon, upon arrival in Sa Dec, board a local boat and head towards Binh Thanh Island to witness more traditional handicrafts, including the process of mat making. Meet a local family who will share their stories of life on the island.
Back on board, maybe take a dip in the pool on the sun deck or listen to a presentation by an expert guide about “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the boat continues to Tan Chau, the gateway and border town to Cambodia. The vessel docks this evening near Tan Chau.
After breakfast, head ashore for an excursion around Tan Chau by “xe loi”, a cyclo used as a local taxi. Explore local streets, spotting traditional houses and workshops before stopping at a colourful market for a spot of shopping. Afterwards, board a local boat to visit a floating fish farm to learn how local farming works. Back on board, continue your cruise towards Phnom Penh, with the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner is served before arriving in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
This morning, disembark and transfer to your hotel before enjoying a free day in Phnom Penh, known as ‘the pearl of the orient.'
Take a step back in time with a full day of sightseeing. Start with the sombre Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime. Continue on to Choeung Ek Killing Field to learn and reflect on the atrocities that took place here.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport and board your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to explore this vibrant city.
Spend a full day discovering the mystical Angkor temples, beginning with a visit to the renowned Angkor Wat and ancient Ta Prohm Monastery.
In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom (the Great City) beginning by the south gate and the famous Bayon of the 12th and 13th centuries. Then, journey to the Elephant Terrace and the raised Leper King Terrace, built in the 12th century and feature many beautifully sculptured apsaras.
After a delicious breakfast and at the appropriate time, you will be transported to Siem Reap airport in time to board your flight home.
Arrive home today. We hope you've enjoyed an inspiring holiday..
Some flights may arrive home a day later, subject to flight timings
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.
Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.
Pay In Full Option:
Installment Payment Plan Option:
Booking Process
Please refer to conditions below, which are agreed to at time of purchase.
Can I extend my stay pre- and/or post-tour?
This depends on the package you are booking.
Where available, extensions must be added at time of purchase and cannot be added post-purchase unless inside the 7-day cooling off period.
We can assist in arranging your airfares to accommodate an extension; however, you must also book the additional nights’ accommodation through us at time of booking (where available as an add-on):
When adding additional nights to your booking, the cost of the extra nights’ accommodation will be reflected on your invoice and payable with the final balance.
Airfare surcharges may apply if extending due to airfare seasonal changes and possible fare differences. These are payable at the time of selecting your desired airfare.
The second installment of your booking must be made before airfares can be booked.
Outside of extending your stay you must select Land Only if:
If you are interested in one of the above options, please select LAND ONLY at time of check-out and you will need to arrange your own airfares. Inspiring Vacations will not be accountable for flight delays or missed tour components due to late arrival or airline changes.
How to book my flights through the flight portal:
As the travel industry moves towards providing customers with more self-service options, we are excited that our customers will have the opportunity to book their flights through our flight portal. If this option is available to you, you will be notified once flights are available to book for your selected departure date. Flights may be booked by Inspiring Vacations at any time.
Please visit our FAQ for more information.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points
Inspiring Vacations do not arrange seat selection. It is important to highlight that some airlines do not allow pre-selected seats or they may charge a fee to do so. We strongly suggest you contact the airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
For the services of your guide, it is suggested that you budget for AUD$10-20 per person, per day. Tipping of your driver is also appreciated and we would suggest AUD$5 per person, per day.
As this particular tour does not collect a ‘kitty’, it is entirely up to the individual whether or not you would like to tip locals for the services of things like taxis or when dining at restaurants. In these cases, we suggest you allow 10-20% of the value of the service as a tip. Again, it is not compulsory and entirely up to the individual.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $3,624.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2-15 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.