This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. 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. To ensure this trip is right for you, 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 aid, then this tour is not suitable.
Quality accommodation with distinct, local character to showcase the very best of the destination, offering an authentic and unique stay.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
✓ Return international airfares with Qatar Airways
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ 9 nights in well-situated 4-star boutique hotels
✓ 1 night on a Halong Bay Cruise
✓ Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
✓ Professional escorted guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary
✓ Dedicated air-conditioned transportation
✓ 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.
Be ready to be inspired. Depart today on your Vietnam adventure.
Chao mung! Or welcome, to Vietnam and it’s beautiful ancient capital, Hanoi. Upon arrival at the Hanoi airport, you will be warmly greeted by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax and depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon or evening at leisure before your full day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Check in: If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available.
A full city tour of Hanoi awaits you today. This morning’s sightseeing begins with a visit to Van Mieu, otherwise known as The Temple of Literature. The Confucian temple dates back to 1070, and features astoundingly well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. Note the peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways. After this we will visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, built by French colonists to house Vietnamese political prisoners. During the Vietnam War, it was used by North Vietnam, and dubbed the 'Hanoi Hilton' by American prisoners of war. Today, only part of the prison still exists, which has been converted into a museum.
At noon we will visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, which contains a museum and Ho Chi Minh’s final resting place. Within the grounds there also lies the simple two-room stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969, as well as the miniature One Pillar Pagoda, or Chua Mot Cot, which sits in a lotus pond.
Next, we’ll enjoy a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter - the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, highlighting more than 1,000 years of history. Explore the network of narrow alleyways known as 'The 36 Streets'. This is a wonderful place to soak up local life, and peruse market items from fabrics to crafts and exotic medicines. Each street was named to reflect the specialised trade of the merchants who had shops there, such as silk traders or jewellers. Take a break at a local coffee shop to experience the popular Hanoi pastime of sipping coffee and watching life go by in the neighbourhood. Following the city tour, the rest of the evening is free to continue exploring on your own.
This morning we depart for a leisurely drive to Haiphong. Upon arrival at this port city we will board our Halong Bay cruise. Onboard, you'll enjoy a complimentary drink and take a seat in the lounge before a short welcome briefing with fellow guests. Become acquainted with the junk boat's facilities, using the opportunity to ask any questions and getting to know the friendly staff. You’ll be shown to your room where you can unpack and enjoy your balcony view before freshening up just in time for lunch. As you indulge in an exquisite, freshly cooked meal, the boat will sets sail for the first attraction of the day – the floating villages of Lan Ha Bay. With a resident local population that's estimated to run into the hundreds, these fishing villages are a unique cultural feature of the region, and represent a traditional sea-based lifestyle that has since died out in many other parts of the world. Interact with the friendly communities whose livelihoods depend on these waters, and learn to fish in their traditional style.
Back onboard the boat enjoy some free time as we drift deeper into Halong Bay, wending our way past the towering limestone islands draped in greenery that dot these beautiful aquamarine waters. This is the perfect time to check out the panoramic sundeck, or relax in your room. Later, the junk boat's head chef will lead a cooking class and food carving lesson – a typical feature of Vietnamese culinary culture. Watch in wonder as everyday vegetables are intricately carved into works of art, and try your hand at making a typical Vietnamese dish. A la carte dinner platters range from salads and seafood to meat dishes, not to mention seasonal fruits and exotic desserts. Happy hour follows dinner, and you can spend the rest of your night at leisure. Why not take this opportunity to try your hand at squid fishing with the cruise staff.
Start your morning today with a glorious sunrise Tai Chi class upon the sundeck as day breaks on the calm lagoon. Treat yourself to European-style pre-breakfast snacks with tea and coffee before we set sail to one of our favorite spots in the whole of Lan Ha Bay, Vịnh Ông Cậm (Ong Cam bay). This breathtaking cove is the perfect spot to spend the morning. Here you’ll have the choice between sunbathing, swimming or kayaking around the rocky shoreline. Once we’re done on the beach, we’ll board the boat again just in time to enjoy a full breakfast buffet, which includes both international favourites and typical Vietnamese dishes, such as noodle soup (pho). After breakfast, you may relax in the dining room and lounge or on the deck enjoying your last views of the bay before disembarking at midday. From here, we drive to Hanoi to catch an evening flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang you will be met and transferred to Hoi An.
Previously known as Faifo, Hoi An was once the most important trading port in the region. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the city is one of the best places to discover well-preserved Vietnamese architecture. In the morning we’ll stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter and spend time mingling with local vendors at the Hoi An Market. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please. As the sun goes down the city lights up with a sea of colourful lanterns, giving Hoi An the moniker 'City of Lanterns' and making for a thoroughly photogenic and romantic atmosphere.
After breakfast this morning, we will check out of our hotel and begin our full day journey to the coastal resort city of Nha Trang. The trip will be broken up with stops along the way, including spending time at Quy Nhon Beach for lunch at a delicious local, seafood local restaurant before continuing on to our hotel in Nha Trang. Located in southern Vietnam, this beautiful city is known for its beaches, diving, and offshore islands. After settling in at the hotel, spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Please keep in mind that will be a long day on the road and therefore scheduled stops may differ to what is reflected in the itinerary.
This morning begins with a thrilling boat trip off the shores of Nha Trang to find some snorkeling sites. Dive into the crystalline turquoise water, where you'll be surrounded by colourful marine life - you might be lucky enough to spot scorpionfish, lionfish and moray eels. Following the boat trip you’ll have time to find some local cuisine for lunch back onshore before we begin our drive to Dalat. Along the way we will visit some local farms and make a stop at the picturesque village of Trai Mat, home to temples and a small market. Upon arrival in Dalat this evening check into your hotel and relax.
Located in southern Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Dalat is surrounded by a magnificent landscape of hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. It's also known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' due to its distinctive temperate climate. This morning we will enjoy a guided tour that begins at the Bao Dai Summer Palace, the summer retreat for Vietnam’s last emperor. From here, we will also visit Dalat station, built in the 1930s in an Art Deco style and designed by French architects, as well as the bustling local market. In the afternoon you’ll have time to relax or continue discovering this pretty city and its sprawling central lake, Xuan Huong.
Following breakfast this morning we will begin our drive to Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon. The journey towards this immense city will take most of the day. Along the way we’ll visit the gorgeous yet little-visited Pongour waterfalls. Cascading over dark terraced rock, and easily accessible through lush, landscaped gardens, this natural wonder is certainly awe-inspiring. Enjoy the opportunity to stretch your legs, soak up the beautiful vistas and reach out and run your fingers through the water as it falls. After this stop we will continue on our drive to Ho Chi Minh City via the city of Bao Loc. We'll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in the evening - rest of explore more at your leisure.
Today will include a tour of Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon), which is perhaps most famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War. Our morning will begin with a drive to the Cu Chi tunnels. Here we’ll explore part of the underground network that zigzagged from the southern tip of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Cambodia, to the Saigon River, and is said to measure a whopping 250kms. Visiting Cu Chi will give you a deeper understanding of the guerrilla warfare that took place by the Vietnamese against both the French and the Americans. Developed in the late 1940s, these criss-crossing tunnels were constructed by local resistance fighters looking for a place to hide their weapons, and themselves, not to mention serving as communication and supply routes. Here you'll discover secret trapdoors, field hospitals, command posts, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.
After lunch we’ll head back to downtown Ho Chi Minh City, where we’ll visit Dong Khoi Street, the heart of the city’s commercial life. We’ll also visit the Post Office and the War Museum. Upon completion of our city tour, your final evening in Vietnam is free to spend as you wish. Don’t hesitate to ask your guide for any last-minute recommendations.
Unfortunately, today marks the end of your fantastic tour through Vietnam. This morning you may enjoy some free time until you need to transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
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
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Flight schedules
Inspiring Vacations will endeavour to book flights as per the below schedule. A suitable alternative will be arranged if flights are no longer available.
London Heathrow
Outbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
Flight 1 | Qatar | QR8 | LHR - DOH | 4:00 PM | 12:50 AM | 6hrs 50m | 2hrs |
Flight 2 | Qatar | QR 976 | DOH - HAN | 2:45 AM | 1:30 PM | 6hrs 45m | |
Inbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
Flight 1 | Qatar | QR973 | SGN - DOH | 9:15 AM | 1:05 PM | 7hrs 50m | 2hrs 10m |
Flight 2 | Qatar | QR15 | DOH - LHR | 3:15 PM | 8:25 PM | 7hrs 10m |
Manchester
Outbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
Flight 1 | Qatar | QR28 | MAN- DOH | 3:10PM | 12:05 AM | 6hrs 55m | 2hrs 40m |
Flight 2 | Qatar | QR 976 | DOH - HAN | 2:45 AM | 1:30 PM | 6hrs 45m | |
Inbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
Flight 1 | Qatar | QR973 | SGN - DOH | 9:15 AM | 1:05 PM | 7hrs 50m | 1hrs 35m |
Flight 2 | Qatar | QR15 | DOH - MAN | 2:40 PM | 8:05 PM | 7hrs 25m |
Edinburgh
Outbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
Flight 1 | British Airways | BA1455 | EDI- LHR | 5:30 PM | 6:55 PM | 1hr 25m | 2hrs 15m |
Flight 2 | British Airways | BA 33 | LHR- KUL | 9:10 PM | 5:00 PM | 12hrs 50m | 2hrs 10m |
Flight 3 | Vietnam Airlines | VN 680 | KUL - HAN | 7:10 PM | 9:25 PM | 3hrs 15m | |
Inbound | Airline | Flight # | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Layover |
Flight 1 | Vietnam Airlines | VN 601 | SGN - BKK | 8:40 AM | 10:20 AM | 1hr 40m | 1hrs 25m |
Flight 2 | British Airways | BA 10 | BKK- LHR | 11:45 AM | 6:25 PM | 12hrs 40m | 2hrs |
Flight 3 | British Airways | BA 1462 | LHR -EDI | 8:25 PM | 9:50 PM | 1hr 25m |
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.
How to extend your stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
Please note, a supplement of £75 per person (plus any applicable fare and tax differences) applies to deviate from the standard itinerary. 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.
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
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.
Please note, the transfers are not private and you may be grouped with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
To enhance your journey, we're offering the following optional tours:
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 £6-11 per person, per day. Tipping of your driver is also appreciated and we would suggest £4 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 £450 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.
Visa & Passport information
Please find the most recent update that applies for passengers travelling to Vietnam on a United Kingdom passport. The below has been updated on the website and within the trip notes.
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 to the United Kingdom.
British passport holders will require a visa to enter Vietnam. On 8 March, the Vietnamese Government announced plans to suspend the visa waiver programme for UK and other European nationals. This change could be implemented at very short notice. British citizens planning to enter Vietnam on the visa waiver programme should check before travelling. For further information about visa requirements, check with the Vietnamese Embassy London http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/.
For visits of up to 30 days, you can get an e-visa online before you travel. Use of the e-visa is limited to certain entry/exit points which you must select at the time of application. E-visa is only applicable to ‘British Citizen’ passport holders.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for up to date information in terms of entry requirements. Visa's should not be applied for before receiving your final documentation.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
10-30 people.
Trip Style - Group Tour
Our Group Tours offer unparalleled value for money and are the perfect style of travel for those on a budget, though still eager to pack as much in to their itinerary as possible. These tours tick all the boxes with an abundance of inclusions such as sightseeing highlights, expert tour guides, quality accommodation, transfers, coach transportation, some meals and more. Please note that the maximum group size will vary between deals and will be mentioned within the Fine Print of each deal page.
Children
Children must be five years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Click HERE for more information on weather in Vietnam.
Inspiring Vacations UK is an ATOL Licensee (Licence number 11519). As such all flights and travel packages including transport and accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations UK are protected under the ATOL scheme. Upon booking with us you will receive an ATOL certificate as a record of this protection.