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 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
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.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small group tour, up to 20 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including hiking through the hills and villages of Sapa, a walking tour through Hanoi and Hoi An, excursion to Sung Sot Cave, and a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City, and time spent relaxing on the beaches of Nha Trang
✓ 13 nights in central 4-star accommodation
✓ 1 night on board a premium Halong Bay cruise
✓ Spend three relaxing nights at a stunning beach resort in Nha Trang
✓ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches & 2 dinners
✓ All internal flights
✓ Fully escorted by professional English-speaking tour guides (except Nha Trang)
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✈ 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.
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam! The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
We’ll be rising early today for breakfast and to board our coach at 7.30am where we’ll depart for the quiet mountainous town of Sapa. Located in northwestern Vietnam, close to the Chinese border, Sapa is home to different ethnic tribal groups.
Upon arrival in Sapa around noon, you’ll have time to grab some lunch before meeting the guide at 1.30pm in the lobby. This afternoon, we will be trekking to Ta Phin Village, home of the Red Dao minority.
We’ll begin in Sapa Town, walk around the lake and through the paths and rice fields to the village of Ma Tra. There’s time to look around the village once we arrive, too, which is home to the Black H’mong ethnic minority.
We’ll continue the trek through the picturesque scenery to the Red Dao village of Ta Phin. There is plenty of time to wander around the village, take photos and soak up the atmosphere. We will take a short car ride back to Sapa where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Please note the walk is approximately 8km
This morning after breakfast, we’ll meet the rest of the group at the lobby at 8am. Today we’ll head off on one of the most popular treks. The route will take us to villages in the Muong Hoa Valley, which are inhabited by a variety of ethnic minority groups, including Black H‘mong and Zay.
The trek will take us along sealed roads, local paths and terraced rice fields—truly beautiful scenery all the way to Black H’mong Village of Lao Chai. We’ll stop here for our picnic lunch, to take photos and to explore.
After lunch, we’ll walk through rice terraces to the Zay village of Ta Van. This is the only village in the Sapa area where the Zay people live. After wandering around the village, we’ll head back up the valley to meet with our car for the return trip to Sapa.
The rest of the day can be spent how you wish—as this is your final evening in Sapa, enjoy!
Please note the walk is approximately 8km
After breakfast, we will say farewell to Sapa and drive back to Hanoi at 9am. Our journey is around 5-6 hours. Once we arrive in Hanoi and check in, you’ll be free to spend the afternoon as you wish. We will reconvene at 6pm for our welcome meeting.
NOTES
Drive back to Hanoi is without a guide.
Welcome Meeting - it is very important to attend this meeting. If you are going to be late please let the hotel reception know. We will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Ask reception or look for a sign in the lobby on where the meeting will take place.
In the morning, transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (approximately 3.5 hours drive).
After arriving at Ha Long, get on board to cruise around and have chances to admire the spectacular scenery of Ha Long Bay with fascinating natural formations while having lunch. Then you will have some time to visit villages to have a look at how local people spend their days. You also can join the cooking class aboard to learn how to make spring rolls - a Vietnamese traditional dish.
After having dinner aboard, you can enjoy some night activities such as squid fishing, drinking, listening to music or just simply enjoying the night sky of Ha Long Bay.
Note: please pack an overnight bag with any essentials that you will need for your cruise, such as a change of clothes, toiletries, and medications. You will return to the same hotel in Hanoi, so your remaining luggage will be sure to be kept safely for the night.
In the morning, enjoy your light breakfast and relax for a while before exploring the cave system.
Afterwards, return to the cruise and enjoy the beautiful scenery until check-out time. We will then transfer back to Hanoi to check in the hotel.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (exterior) where the great President Ho Chi Minh rests in peace. We will visit the traditional stilt house and the respected One-Pillar Pagoda, the special pagoda with particular structure.
Later in the afternoon, an expert local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. You will eat as you 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 at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, you will wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago. Your next two snack stops are at outdoor barbeque stalls. You can sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavour. Now time for dessert as you adventure down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk – this specialty is one not to be missed!
This tour is suitable for all fitness levels, as it involves mostly walking.
In the morning, we transfer to Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.
We will move to the Temple of Literature - famous for being the first university of Vietnam. You will recognize that this is a popular place for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs when graduating.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
From here, head to the airport to take your domestic flight to Da Nang before transferring to Hoi An to check in at the hotel.
Includes: guide, electric buggy, show ticket
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.
Pick up 7:30pm. Show starts 8:00pm.
Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is beautifully preserved and exudes a tranquil atmosphere. Your guide will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit a handful of the city’s major attractions. It’s perfect for strolling around at a leisurely pace, with many beautiful Japanese houses and Chinese temples lining the narrow lanes. Parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago. It’s also a shopping mecca – browse local markets and shops for original paintings, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery and lanterns.
The afternoon is free at your leisure to explore Hoi An.
Maybe browse the cobbled streets and art galleries for exquisite paintings, ceramics and colourful cloth lanterns. If you’re craving a new look, you could pay a visit to one of the hundreds of tailors and get something special made. Hoi An is also known for its delicious regional food, so be sure to enjoy a meal at a riverside restaurant or perhaps partake in a cooking class.
Enjoy the morning at your leisure and in the afternoon take the short flight down to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation where you will have the evening at your leisure.
Includes: guide, transportation, show ticket
Originating in the Red River Delta, a thousand-year-old tradition, the water puppets act out ancient Vietnamese culture They feature the Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix dance, Fairies dance, fishing, and agricultural work... It ends with puppeteer’s waist deep in water.
Pickup from Hotel Lobby will be 6.00pm, for a 6.30pm show.
Start your day with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels - a vast network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Learn about the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people as you crawl through the tunnels and see how they were used for living, fighting, and communication.
In the afternoon, embark on a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City to see the city through the eyes of a local. Visit some of its most iconic landmarks, including the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Ho Chi Minh City Hall.
In the evening, explore Ben Thanh Market, a bustling market where you can experience local life and find souvenirs. You can find everything from fresh produce and seafood to clothing and handicrafts.
Meals are on your own account, but there are many great restaurants to choose from in Ho Chi Minh City. You can try some of the local specialties, such as pho, banh mi and bun cha.
Today is your free day to discover the city at your own pace. Perhaps use your included “Inspiring Sight” to explore the Mekong Delta on a full day tour.
Includes: guide, transportation & lunch
Embark on a day trip to explore the Mekong Delta. Begin your journey by boarding a private boat headed for Ben Tre, where you'll explore the coconut gardens and pause at a local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams.
Following this, take a seat in small rowing sampans and gently paddle along the Mekong Delta, passing by coconut trees that line the canals. Enjoy a tuk-tuk tour through the villages, gaining insight into rural life and the coconut industry, which produces items like brooms and coconut fiber mats.
Lunchtime arrives at a restaurant in the heart of the Delta, where you can savor regional specialties like the famous elephant ear fish. Conclude your day with a peaceful cruise along the major waterways to Ben Tre boat pier before returning to Ho Chi Minh City by bus.
Today we will be flying to Nha Trang, a charming coastal city, south of the country and renowned for its sandy shores, captivating diving spots and picturesque islands.
You will be picked up three hours before the flight time and be transferred to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
On arrival in Nha Trang, you will be picked up and transferred to Selectum Noa Resort Cam Ranh, home for the next three nights. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day can be spent as you wish - perhaps get familiar with the resort and wind down with a cocktail at sunset.
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely day ahead - relax by the pool, visit the beach or enjoy a pamper session at the spa: get a massage, indulge in a beauty or hair treatment.
Today is your final full day at the resort, so make the most of it! Continue where you left off yesterday with some R&R, or for those seeking a little more adventure, Nha Trang is just the ticket. It’s known as the ‘beach capital’ of Vietnam for good reason: go diving (there are about 25 sites, Whale Island is considered one of the best) or snorkelling, or if you prefer, stay dry and island hop instead. Mieu Island, Mun Island, Tam Island, Tre Island, Monkey Island and Yen Island are the most popular.
This morning after breakfast and check out, you will be picked up and transferred to Cam Ranh Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat airport and your onward flight home.
We hope that you enjoyed your inspiring journey through Vietnam and look forward to seeing you on your next tour.
NOTE
If flying onwards out of Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport, please book flights for after 2.00pm.
If you have booked Post Tour Accommodation, this will be in Nha Trang. Your flight from Cam Ranh Airport to Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport will be booked for the day you will check out of your Nha Trang hotel.
Inspiring Tastes
Inspiring Sights
Inspiring Stay
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.
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.
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 staff have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
An expected tip in this region would be 4-7 USD per person, per day, shared among your driver, bellmen, restaurant staff, and more. Your trip leader will discuss tipping further with you while on tour, and may also discuss having a group tipping kitty that will be fairly dispersed throughout your trip.
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 ₹57,295.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour 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
Minimum of 4 and maximum 20 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:
If flying onwards out of Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport on the final day of the tour, please book flights for after 2.00pm.
If you have booked Post Tour Accommodation, this will be in Nha Trang. Your flight from Cam Ranh Airport to Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport will be booked for the day you will check out of your Nha Trang hotel.
This trip includes an incredible day hike, featuring varying terrain covering a distance of about 8 kilometres. To experience the breath-taking views, you should expect some uneven surfaces and inclines, and appropriate footwear for stability is recommended.
To anticipate changing weather conditions, bring along a raincoat or waterproof jacket. This hike promises a mix of natural beauty and physical activity, so equip yourself with suitable gear for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
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.
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 - Nha Trang
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.
If you have booked Post Tour Accommodation, this will be in Nha Trang. Your flight from Cam Ranh Airport to Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport will be booked for the day you will check out of your Nha Trang hotel.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Vietnam.
28 Feb 2023
Vietnam, a consistently popular Southeast Asian country with plenty to offer travellers, can be a year-round destination. But, when is the best time to go? Vietnam is over 1600 km long and experiences diverse weather systems between the north, the central coast and the south. If you are planning on covering a lot...
28 Feb 2023
Bright, vibrant, sweet, spicy and healthy to boot. Is there a better cuisine then Vietnamese? One of the best things about any trip to Vietnam is the exquisite food. From street side noodle stalls by the beach in Hoi An to fine dining along the side of the West Lake in Hanoi – the delicate tastes created across the cou...
28 Feb 2023
Vietnam has been split into north and south far longer than it has been together For those of us old enough to remember, or to at least have seen the movies, Vietnam was split in two – the north was the bad guys and the south was the good guys – or so they told us. For more than 40 years Vietnam has been reunified un...
28 Feb 2023
Lush paddy fields, Jungle mountains, tropical beaches, Vietnam has it all when it comes to the gifts from the gods For a country not even the size of California, Vietnam has pretty much everything you could ask for: lush green paddy fields, tropical jungle, white sandy beaches – it has it all. A relatively narrow str...
23 Feb 2023
One of Vietnam’s biggest celebrations is an homage to its ancient past The Hùng Kings Festival (also known as the Death Anniversary of the Hùng Kings) is one of Vietnam’s largest annual celebrations. From the 8th to the 11th of the third lunar month each year, with the main day of celebration on April 18 this year. I...
23 Feb 2023
The Vietnamese new year festival is a chance to explore seasonal cuisine and immerse yourself in local culture What is Tết? Not to be conflated with Chinese New Year, Tết is short for Tết Nguyên Đán and is a Vietnamese celebration that celebrates both the arrival of spring and the Vietnamese New Year. In 2024, Tết fa...
