Enjoy the comfort of having your travel arrangements all to yourself. From the exclusivity of having your own transportation to your own expert English-speaking guide who in most cases will accompany you throughout the entire tour unless stated.
Expect a memorable stay throughout with hotels often centrally located, with creature comforts and unique features.
Hotel stars are based on local ratings provided and the expected standard may differ depending on the destination. Hotels listed within the itinerary are indicative of the typical hotel we intend to use for that package but is subject to change.
This tour is escorted by local city guides in each location. The local guides will join you during the included activities and local representatives will assist with transfer arrangements. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise, or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
This tour is categorised as 1 out of 5
Explore at your own pace: Discover your destination at your own pace with our self-guided itinerary. Options include driving, rail, or cruising (excluding expeditions). Enjoy included guided day trips for sightseeing as outlined in your itinerary.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Private tour, enjoy the comfort and personalized service of private touring
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Private in-depth sightseeing
✓ Private air-conditioned transportation
✓ 8 nights in 5-star accommodation
✓ 1 night on a luxury 5-star cruise of Halong Bay
✓ Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
✓ Flights from Hanoi to Hue and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
✓ The services of a professional, English-speaking tour leader in each city
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
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 and its beautiful ancient capital, Hanoi.
On arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be met and privately transferred to your luxury 5-star hotel located in the heart of the city. Take some time to relax and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon or evening at your leisure.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you head off on a full day exploration of this charming city.
This morning we will visit Van Mieu, otherwise known as The Temple of Literature. The Confucian temple dates back to 1070, and features peaceful walled courtyards and graceful gateways and is one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Following this, we continue on and visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex from the outside; an impressive mausoleum that houses the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh.
This afternoon we head to the charming Old Quarter where we’ll enjoy a walking tour through Hanoi’s most historic and picturesque neighbourhood. The Old Quarter is 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.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for an evening of leisure, or you may want to join an optional evening tour to explore the city’s incredible food culture.
Experience a magical water puppet show at a traditional Vietnamese theater in Hanoi. Marvel at the ancient art form of water puppetry made famous throughout the world for their skills operating the puppets on a water stage set to music, with modern special effects. Following the performance, your guide will take you on a culinary journey with a guided walk through the bustling Old Quarter and explore the various street foods on offer. Your guide will help you traverse the winding side streets full of pop-up restaurants which offer truly local food like "bánh cuốn" (rice rolls with pork and herbs inside), "bánh gối" (pillow cake), and many kinds of noodle dish, such as Bun Cha, Pho. Depending on your preferences the guide will explain what is in each dish so you can choose the one you like the best, to try. You will be surprised how tasty these dishes are and how unique they are to Hanoi. A highlight is a stop at a ‘Bia Hoi’ store in the Old Quarter where you get to sample fresh, local homemade beer - famous all over Hanoi and other areas of northern Vietnam.
Start time: 6pm
End time: 9pm
Note: a minimum of 4 passengers is required to operate
This morning we depart for a leisurely drive to Tuan Chau Port. Upon arrival at this port city we will board our luxury Halong Bay cruise.
Onboard, enjoy a complimentary drink and take a seat in the lounge before a short welcome briefing with fellow guests. You’ll be shown to your luxury cabin where you can enjoy rich oak interiors, with high windows and private balconies to make the most of the incredible views during your cruise. Enjoy a decadent lunch onboard made from fresh local ingredients you cruise by the beautiful and quaint villages.
Early in the afternoon we arrive at Surprise Cave - one of the most spectacular and largest grottoes of Halong Bay. The mouth of the grotto is reached by ascending about a hundred stone steps.
Enjoy dinner on board of local Vietnamese specialties before retiring for the evening. Alternately, you may wish to enjoy the ship’s evening activities including squid fishing on the boat with help from the crew.
Start your morning by enjoying sunrise Tai Chi class upon the sundeck as day breaks on the calm lagoon. You will be then transferred by tender to the Titov Island. Spend time on the island, allowing time to climb to the peak for a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Bay (there is also an expansive viewing deck half way up). After the climb, there is time left to relax on the beach and have a swim.
Once back on board, enjoy a full breakfast and 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 Airport (approximately 3.5 hrs drive) for our included flight south to Hue and transfer to your luxury resort for the next two nights.
Your 5-star resort is ideally located in the quiet countryside in a rustic village setting surrounded by lush tranquil gardensand embodies the subtle and unique connection of treasured traditional style and Vietnamese modern art vibrancy.
Once checked in, the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Enjoy the resort facilities or simply relax and take in the soothing natural environment and local culture.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before boarding a local dragon boat for a tranquil cruise along the famous Perfume River. The river borne the name “Huong” (Perfume) for over a century as a result of flowers from upstream orchards dropping into the water during the autumn giving it a strong floral sent.We take the cruise to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda and then take a road transfer to visit to the Imperial City. Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802 CE this historic city is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Centre and retains many architectural works, temples, and palaces.
Following this, we visit the nearby village of Thuy Bieu well-known for its rustic ancient houses and gardens before returning to luxury our resort for an afternoon of leisure and relaxation.
Enjoy breakfast at the resort before transferring by road to the beautiful heritage town of Hoi An. En route we stop by the picturesque Lap An Lagoon for some amazing photo opportunities as well as the famous Hai Van Pass.
On arrival into Hoi An, we check into our luxury 5-star resort perfectly located only a short walk from the ancient town. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax and make the most of the hotel’s beautiful facilities or take a short walk and wander the ancient streets and canals of this well preserved town.
This evening enjoy an Inspiring Taste as you join a cooking class and learn to make one of Hoi An's traditional dishes: the white rose dumpling. Following your class, enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to the hotel.
This morning enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter and spend time mingling with local vendors at the Hoi An Market. 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.
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.
Experience the iconic Hoi An Memories show. The show features more than 500 performers in colorful costumes accompanied by music to create a high-tech show that explores the history of Hoi An. Round-trip transportation is provided from your hotel, which makes it easy to relax and enjoy the evening’s activities.
Pre dinner drinks and tasting platter are included in the per person cost.
Time: 7:30pm
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Enjoy breakfast before we transfer to the airport for our included flight Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon. On arrival, you are transferred to your luxury 5-star hotel located in the heart of this exciting city.
This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour where we visit some of the city’s most iconic sites, including; Dong Khoi Street, the city's major thoroughfare connecting French colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers, the beautiful and iconic Saigon Central Post Office with its perfect combination of Neo-classical European architecture and Asian influences, and the War Remnant’s Museum which holds 20,000 documents, artifacts, and films around the brutal truth of the Vietnam War and its long-lasting traumatic consequences.
Return to the hotel where the rest of the evening is at leisure.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and head to Ben Tre Ben, a beautiful tranquil province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam known for its lush green landscapes, winding rivers, and friendly locals. On arrival, we board a boat and cruise along the mighty Mekong taking in scenic canals, islands, floating villages and seeing locals going about their daily lives. The cruise will stop at a local bricks factory and a coconut workshop before disembarking to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Following lunch, we return to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Your tour concludes at the hotel after breakfast. At the appropriate time you will be privately transferred to the airport.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Inspiring Taste
Inspiring Sights
Inspiring Stay
This package is run on a private basis for 2 people. If you have more than 2 people travelling in your party the following discounts apply:
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Passengers
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Room Configuration
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Discount
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2
|
1 room
|
Price as displayed
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|
3
|
2 rooms
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Price as displayed
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|
4
|
2 rooms
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AUD $300pp
|
|
5
|
3 rooms
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AUD $300pp
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|
6
|
3 rooms
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AUD $300pp
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|
7
|
4 room
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AUD $300pp
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|
8
|
4 rooms
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AUD $300pp
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|
9
|
5 rooms
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AUD $300pp
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|
10 or more
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5 rooms or more
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AUD $400pp
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This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
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 for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
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.
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 $995.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
The Single Supplement applies to a person who wishes to have their own room but who is part of a travelling party. For example, 2 people travelling together who both wish to have their own rooms OR a party of 3 people where 2 people share a twin room and 1 person has a single room. The single supplement would be applicable to the person wishing to stay in their own room.
If you are a solo traveller (travelling on your own), please contact us directly for a quote and to make your booking.
Triple Share
Not available.
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.
Group Size
Maximum: 2 - can be more, still on a private basis
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:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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.
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