✓ Small group tour of up to 16 people
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Return airport and port transfers
✓ 6 nights accommodation, including stays in remote and little-explored areas
✓ Overnight Victoria Express train to Sapa
✓ 10 nights fully-inclusive expedition cruise with Pandaw cruises
✓ Tipping included on cruise
✓ Daily breakfast, 16 lunches and 13 dinners
✓ Escorted by an English-speaking guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary
✓ Dedicated private transportation throughout
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
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.
Upon arrival in Hanoi you will be warmly welcomed by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure as you prepare for your first day of touring tomorrow.
Prepare to overwhelm your tastebuds with an introduction to Vietnam's flavour-packed cuisine. Your guide will collect you in the morning and journey with you by cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle taxi) to the market. You will meet up with a local chef and experience a day in his life as you wander through the bustling fresh food market. Learn the tips and tricks that ensure only the finest quality ingredients are selected before bringing your wares back to Duong's Restaurant for an exciting cooking class. Along the way you will get to sample a delectable selection of exotic street food dishes. During the lesson, the chef will teach you the intricacies of food presentation by creating small decorations to enhance the appearance of your dish. You’ll also learn some basic cooking techniques and master some knife skills, required for these complex dishes.
After lunch, enjoy some leisure time back at your hotel or take one of our bonus Inspiring Sights listed below, free as part of your package.
Later today you will be transferred to the station for your overnight train ride to Sapa aboard the deluxe Victoria Express.
Please note: guests can only select one of the two options listed above, as they run simultaneously.
Enjoy a 60-minute Thai body massage with oil at Mido Salon and relax into holiday mode.
Dong Xuan Market, situated in the city's Old Quarter, was the first of its kind in Hanoi. The largest covered market in the city, Dong Xuan spans three storeys and covers an area of approximately 9,600 square meters, its vendors peddling everything from electronics, trinkets and foodstuffs to homewares and live animals.
Upon arrival in Sapa early in the morning, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After breakfast, you will begin your incredibly scenic hike to Ta Phin village of the Red Dao people, a place awash with culture and tradition. Relish the warm hospitality of the locals and enjoy a delicious lunch in the village.
Afterwards, you’ll take the beautiful hike back down before being transferred to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon. Alternatively, enjoy one of our bonus Inspiring Sights, listed below and free as part of your package.
Please note: hiking to the village of Ta Phin requires above average fitness levels. Those who do not feel comfortable, or able, to take the hike can instead request to visit local Hmong villages, which are much easier to reach.
Hidden away in a valley that's often crowned with mist and fog, the tiny village of Ta Van is a world away even from the small town of Sapa. Some 110 households populate this village, which is home to the Dao and Giay people.
Following breakfast at the hotel you will begin your drive to Ha Giang, a laidback provincial capital in northern Vietnam. Known as one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam, Ha Giang is home to limestone forests and granite mountains and sits on the Lo River.
Though the drive to Ha Giang is relatively long it will be broken up by a visit to the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley in Lao Chai village. Here you can savour the panoramic view of the surrounding rice terraces. Upon arrival in Ha Giang, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Please note: the town of Ha Giang is very remote and not as experienced at catering to tourists as other parts of the country. The accommodation we use is three stars and the best available. Though it's not luxurious it is comfortable. Staying in Ha Giang allows us access to incredibly remote and less-frequented parts of Vietnam that many of our guests find richly rewarding.
Today we leave Ha Giang and head to the rural district of Meo Vac, with plenty of stops along the way. First you will visit Sung La village, located on the Dong Van plateau in the mountainous northern province. Sung La became a popular tourist destination after it featured in the 2006 film Chuyen Cua Pao (Pao's Story).
After visiting Sung La, we'll continue on to the famous Hmong King Palace. In 1902, with the consent of the French colonial rulers, Chinese tradesmen built the impressive timber Vuong Palace in the tiny village of Sa Phin, from where two Hmong kings ruled. The first, warlord Vuong Chinh Duc, was aligned to the French, while the second, Vuong Chu Sen, aligned himself with Ho Chi Minh's independence fighters. The palace was built in the style of a traditional Chinese courtyard mansion with four double-storey wings. During your visit, one of the descendants of the last king will be on hand to take questions from visitors.
Later, we will travel through the Ma Pi Leng Pass, where the views from 'Heaven's Gate' truly deserve the term breathtaking. Virtually every bend from Ma Pi Leng Pass to Dong Van brings a new photo opportunity. On arrival to Meo Vac you will check in to your hotel and spend the night relaxing.
Please note: the town of Meo Vac is very remote and not as experienced at catering to tourists as other parts of the country. The accommodation we use is extremely basic, yet comfortable. Staying in Meo Vac allows the group to experience rural Vietnam at its most authentic.
After breakfast we'll enjoy a walk around this small yet charming village. Located in the northeast of Vietnam, Meo Vac borders China and is enclosed by craggy mountains. Visit the quaint local market, as well as some old houses of Hmong and Lo Lo people. There will be plenty of photo opportunities with the friendly local hilltribes, known for their colourful traditional attire. After a delicious local lunch, we'll begin our scenic drive back to Ha Giang.
This morning we'll head to either Hoa Binh or Viet Tri (depending on the season) to board your Pandaw Cruise. Take the afternoon to settle in and unpack.
Today’s highlight is a trip to Hoa Binh, the site of a major battle with the French, which began in late 1951 and ended in early 1952. The city is also famous for a local dam, which is the largest of its kind in the country and symbolises the industrialisation and modernisation of Vietnam – the hydroelectric Hoa Binh Dam on the Black River. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station and admire the dam’s impressive architecture.
Back onboard the ship enjoy a traditional performance by local hilltribe people in the evening.
This morning we'll visit a museum and village where the inhabitants still wear traditional dress. Spend the afternoon sailing downstream, basking in the unspoilt beauty of the Da River, otherwise known as the Black River. We'll pass through the Ba Vi National Park, rich with tropical, and sub-tropical, flora and fauna, before arriving at Trung Ha village. Here our chef will share his skills in fruit carving and demonstrate how to create traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.
After breakfast we'll disembark the RV Angkor Pandaw and travel by coach through beautiful scenic countryside to the ancient village of Duong Lam. Time really slows down at this quiet and peaceful village, which has been bestowed with a Heritage Award of Merit of UNESCO Asia-Pacific for its efforts to restore historic local buildings. Duong Lam typically evades most tourists’ itineraries and has yet to be commercialised, like many other parts of the country.
Back onboard we'll continue cruising downstream towards Viet Tri. Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river, full of all kinds of craft and activity. This evening you'll meet your guide in the dining room for a lecture on Vietnam, its history, geography and people.
Today we'll cruise to Tien Du ferry station to visit the Hung Lo Temple, where you'll be regaled with a special type of traditional singing that has been passed down through generations.
Next, we'll continue by bus to Gia Thanh village, the home of Vietnam's conical hats, or non la. Non la are made entirely by hand, using palm leaves and bamboo. Their origins date back approximately 3,000 years.
This afternoon will include an excursion to a nearby village famous for its local carpenters who create exquisite carvings and utilise special woodworking techniques.
Today we'll go ashore to visit a timeless Vietnam – one of lush rice paddies punctuated by ornate pagodas and striking rock formations. The hillside Thay and Tay Phuong pagodas that we'll visit are some of the oldest and most historically important in Vietnam.
This afternoon we'll stop at Bat Trang, a village famous for ceramics, whose name literally translates to ‘bowl workshop’. Located in an area rich in clay, the residents of Bat Trang have been producing pottery for centuries. It's believed that around 80% of the village's population is engaged in ceramics production and trade.
On the way back to the ship you’ll have the opportunity to watch a traditional 'unicorn dance', or mua lan, at the jetty. This dance originated in China and spread throughout Southeast Asia.
Today we’ll drop anchor in the bustling capital city of Hanoi and visit some of the highlights of this incredible Asian metropolis. Hanoi is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture. Must-sees include the notorious Vietnam War prison, sometimes referred to as the 'Hanoi Hilton'; the Temple of Literature; and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
This afternoon will include a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, including a visit to a coffee shop to learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee-making industry.
Today, we'll continue to observe life on the river before reaching our next destination. This afternoon’s excursion will be to Thanh Ha District, where we'll explore the village on foot and enjoy a private water puppet show under the shade, next to a beautiful pond filled with with lotus flowers and lilies.
Water puppetry originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. It's a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century, and tells the stories of day-to-day life in rural Vietnam, with a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore. The puppets are made of lacquered wood, and the performers are in a waist-deep pool hidden behind a screen.
We’ll be casting off in the early morning light to reach Halong Bay. With its 2000 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years, it's a spectacular sight.
Our exploration of Halong Bay will begin with a visit to the so-called 'Dark and Bright Cave'. Take a kayak, or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen, and enter this remarkable cave, which emerges into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalactites hang from the ceiling.
Continue your cruise around Halong Bay until dropping anchor at Rang Dua Island.
This morning we'll continue to sail around Halong Bay before beginning a breathtaking trip along a small winding road through the limestone rocks of Cat Ba National Park, towards Viet Hai – a small village in the midst of the jungle. We'll explore the village by mountain bike or electric buggy and take in the pristine natural landscape. We'll also meet the friendly locals before visiting the village’s vegetable farm and some of the traditional village houses.
In the afternoon we'll continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. We'll end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay – don’t forget to bring your swimmers!
Please note: some elements of this day-trip are weather dependent.
Today marks the end of your Pandaw cruise. We'll sail to Tuan Chau Jetty where we'll disembark and transfer to our hotel in Hanoi, with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight, relax or enjoy one of our bonus Inspiring Sights to enhance your experience.
Your local English-speaking guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture, including details on ingredients and the historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and sampling a tasty French-inspired snack from a street cart. Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish banh cuon (steamed rice rolls filled with ground pork and wood ear mushrooms) at a local eatery.
Starts: approx: 6pm
Duration: approx. 3 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
Enjoy some free time relaxing and reminiscing about your favourite parts of this trip-of-a-lifetime before boarding your airport transfer. Say farewell to this beautiful country and relish in some well-earned rest on your flight home.
Arrive home with memories to last a lifetime.
Inspiring Stay
Inspiring Sights
The choice between 2 of 4 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Inspiring Taste
For further information on your Ree River cruise, click HERE.
You may choose to upgrade to an Upper Deck cabin on your cruise for an additional $1000 per person on all dates.
Please make your selection prior to finalising your payment.
You may select a pre-bookable unlimited house wine with lunch and dinner package on your 10 night cruise for $239 per person.
Please make your selection prior to finalising your payment.
Ho Chi Minh City Stopover Package (post tour) - $599 per person, twin share
If you wish to book the stopover package after your Vietnam tour please make your selection prior to finalising your payment.
The $150pp extension
Downstream - View the downstream itinerary HERE.
25-Feb-2019
14-May-2019
10-Aug-2019
1-Sep-2019
28-Nov-2019
20-Dec-2019
13-Jan-2020
13-Feb-2020
8-Mar-2020
22-Apr-2020
14-May-2020
4-Jun-2020
25-Jun-2020
16-Jul-2020
6-Aug-2020
27-Aug-2020
17-Sep-2020
29-Oct-2020
19-Nov-2020
23-Dec-2020
13-Jan-2021
24-Feb-2021
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Downstream - View the downstream itinerary HERE.
25-Feb-2019
14-May-2019
10-Aug-2019
1-Sep-2019
28-Nov-2019
20-Dec-2019
13-Jan-2020
13-Feb-2020
8-Mar-2020
22-Apr-2020
14-May-2020
4-Jun-2020
25-Jun-2020
16-Jul-2020
6-Aug-2020
27-Aug-2020
17-Sep-2020
29-Oct-2020
19-Nov-2020
23-Dec-2020
13-Jan-2021
24-Feb-2021
Airfare Information
Full-service airline used will be Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines or similar.
Flights are not direct and include a maximum of two connections
If you would like to travel with a preferred airline, please ensure you mention this in the special request field. Please note that appropriate fare and tax difference will be applicable in order to confirm your request.
All tickets will include 20 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage.
Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 20 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.
Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable. Any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees.
Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required.
Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control.
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A $800 per person reduction from the twin share price applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. Should you wish to purchase land only, please select this option in the booking process, under 'Departure City'
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur 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 this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes 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 this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
You have the choice of 2 of 4 Inspiring Experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to purchase the additional optional tours as follows:
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 or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 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.
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”:
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.
Please note - Gratuities to the Pandaw crew are included on your cruise
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 $1,749 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
All Australian passport holders will require a visa to enter Vietnam. The visa must be issued prior to departing Australia.
How: Vietnam has an e-visa system which can be applied for online by CLICKING HERE
Cost: USD $25 per person (subject to change)
Visa Type: Tourist Visa / Single Entry
When to apply: 30 days prior to departure
Please note: Do NOT apply for your visa until you receive your tour documentation from Inspiring Vacations 30 days prior to your departure.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2-16 people
Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice 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.
Children
Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
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.
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
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