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Discover Vietnam

Land Tour

This tour is not currently unavailable for booking
Vietnam is a vibrant country, known for its friendly locals, stunning natural landscapes and mouthwatering cuisine. Whether exploring the ancient, cobblestone streets of Hoi An, the bustling cities of Hanoi and Saigon, soaking up the serenity of Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta or savouring a steaming bowl of pho or a fresh banh mi, Vietnam truly is unforgettable.

From price

POA
From price per person, twin share
Number Of Days
17
Start Location
Hanoi, Vietnam
End Location
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Age Range
Avg. 50+
Group Size
6 to 20
Tour Style
Premium
Tour Themes
Small group
Physical Rating
Moderate
Includes Flights
Yes

Inclusions

  • Sightseeing

    Hanoi and Halong Bay
    • Experience "Traditional Craft & Ancient Beauty" at Long Thuong Village
    • Visit 200-year-old Nom Village
    • Enjoy a cooking class at the Rose Kitchen
    • Discover the flower market in Hanoi
    • Visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake
    • Enjoy a Vietnamese ‘banh mi’ breakfast
    • Tour Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex
    • Visit the Temple of Literature, the Women's Museum and the Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples
    • Visit the Hỏa Lò Prison
    • Overnight on a luxury Vietnamese cruise boat on Halong Bay
    Heritage-listed Hoi An and Hue
    • Explore ancient Vietnam's capital Hue
    • Board a 'Dragon Boat' at sunset for a cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda
    • Authentic home dining experience with a local family
    • Visit the Nguyen Dynasty emperors tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
    • Spend 3 nights in World Heritage-listed Hoi An
    • Cruise down Hoi An River for a cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School
    Saigon, the lively Mekong Delta and Vung Tau
    • Discover Saigon on a foodie tour by vespa
    • Explore the Ben Tre province in the Mekong region
    • Cycle to My Long and meet a former Vietcong soldier
    • Tour Saigon’s historic sights
    • Travel to the port city of Vung Tau
    • Visit the Nui Dat Task Force Base, Long Tan Memorial and Long Phuoc Tunnels

    Travel

    • Return economy-class flights from Australia to Asia. Taxes included
    • 2 economy-class flights within Asia
    • Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
    • All touring in air-conditioned vehicles

    Accommodation

    • 13 nights in 4-5 star hotels
    • 1 night on board a luxury Vietnamese cruise boat on Halong Bay
     Properties include:
    • Silk Path Hotel, Hanoi
    • Orchid Trendy Cruise, Ha Long Bay Cruise
    • Eldora Hotel, Hue
    • Bel Marina Hoi An Resort, Hoi An
    • Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon
    • Imperial Hotel, Vung Tau
     Hotels listed are an indication and are subject to change without notice.

    Meals

    • 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners

    Tour Guides

    • English-speaking locally based national guide
    • English-speaking locally based guides

    Porterage

    • Porterage included where available

    Some things to note

    Please note:
    • We suggest packing an overnight bag for the Halong Bay cruise. The remainder of your luggage can be stored securely in our vehicle. However, you can take all your belongings if you prefer.
    • When entering pagodas or temples, wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Also, it’s a good idea to pack a spare pair of socks in your daypack, as sometimes shoes need to be removed when entering and the ground can be hot.
     Optional Excursions:All optional excursions are based on minimum participants and are subject to availability. The length of optional excursions advised is an approximate only. Optional excursions can be booked on tour directly with your Tour Director or guide. We recommend arranging the booking at the beginning of the tour to avoid disappointment. Please note some optional excursions may also be available on multiple or alternate days. Prices are a guide only and are subject to change without prior notice. Payment by cash is preferred as there are no guarantees that credit card facilities will be available. Please check with your Tour Director or guide locally for information relating to this. Credit card fees and exchange rates are at the discretion of your bank. 

    • Itinerary details

    Day 1 - Depart Australia
    Day 1 - Depart Australia
    Day 2 - Arrive Hanoi
    Welcome to Hanoi and Vietnam, a country full of breathtaking scenery and fascinating culture offering a unique blend of east and west. Hanoi may certainly be a bustling city, but it still retains the mystery and charm of the past centuries and French colonial influence, with its narrow lanes and traditional shop houses that invite one to explore. Its many beautiful public areas, lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments give the city a touch of elegance and a harmony with nature. We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 5.00pm. We’ll meet tonight to enjoy our group welcome dinner in the Old Quarter.
    Day 3 - Hanoi
    We’ll discover another side of Hanoi during a half day tour in Long Thuong Village, home to a community of bronze casters since the 13th century. Explore the village and observe how the families create a range of products, including incense-burners and flower vases. Walking alongside fields of rice paddies, we’ll reach the nearby 200-year-old Nom Village. Exploring the narrow brick roads, we’ll see the antique houses and enjoy a cup of tea with a local villager. Learn about the local life and the traditions that define this community. Later this afternoon, we’ll be met at our hotel by a chef from the Rose Kitchen, who will guide us through the local markets, teaching us along the way about Vietnamese produce before a special cooking class, where we get to savour what we create!
    Day 4 - Hanoi
    We’ll have an early start this morning to discover Hanoi as the city awakens, a great way to see how the locals begin their day. Our tour begins at the photogenic flower market and moves onto the Old Quarter—a fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses, also known as 'The 36 Streets'. Each street has been named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics and crafts to medicines and tombstones. This is also a great time of day for us to stroll along the majestic Hoan Kiem Lake as it stirs to life—a favourite spot among locals to practise Tai Chi in the tranquil half-light. We can either watch these practitioners or join in ourselves. Breakfast today includes a traditional Vietnamese ‘banh mi’, followed by a visit to a local coffee shop. Experiencing some of the unique highlights of the city, our orientation tour will include Long Bien Bridge, St Joseph’s Cathedral and the grand Hanoi Opera House. Continuing on, we’ll view the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex comprising of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the beautiful Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s neighbouring traditional Stilt House, where the former Prime Minister lived from 1954 to 1969. We’ll also see the One Pillar Pagoda before heading to the Imperial Citadel & Flag Tower, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. After lunch, we resume our tour at Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, which is also host to the ‘Imperial Academy’. Gain a fascinating insight into the lifestyle, culture and customs of Vietnamese woman at the Women’s’ Museum, before exploring the Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples. Our final stop is the notorious Hỏa Lò Prison, nicknamed ‘Hanoi Hilton’. Formerly used by the French colonists for political prisoners, it later housed the imprisoned US pilots that were shot down during the Vietnam War, and today the remnants of the gatehouse remain as a moving museum.
    Day 5 - Hanoi – Halong Bay
    This morning we travel from Hanoi to breathtaking Halong Bay. Dotted with thousands of limestone islands and outcrops, the bay is known for its stunning emerald waters. Cruise Embarkation We’ll board our cruise boat and enjoy an authentic Vietnamese lunch as the boat sails towards the southeast of the bay. After our delicious lunch, we’ll have the opportunity to explore Trung Trang Cave, known for its many stalactite formations before a refreshing swim in the emerald waters of Tra Bau – Lan Ha Bay. Returning to the ship, we’ll enjoy some time to relax and watch the sunset on the deck before dinner. Challenging Day Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.
    Day 6 - Halong Bay – Hanoi Airport – Hue
    Try your hand at Tai Chi this morning or just simply sit back, relax and watch the incredible scenery pass by from the deck as we continue cruising on the waters of Halong Bay. We’ll enjoy a light breakfast, before we disembark our cruise and set our sights on Hue, Vietnam’s former capital and seat of the Nguyen Dynasty’s emperors. Hue is the ancient capital of the Nguyen emperors, and its atmospheric charm owes partly to its location right on the Perfume River.
    Day 7 - Hue
    This morning we’ll explore Hue during a sightseeing tour, including the bustling Dong Ba Markets and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Citadel in the old Imperial City, modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City. It was completed in 1833, and from here the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty ruled Vietnam until 1945. Entering the citadel via a stone bridge you can see the Thai Hoa Palace, an important venue for official receptions and other important court ceremonies. The ostentatious columns supporting the roof are lacquered and inlaid with gold. There is a pair of smaller halls behind the Thai Hoa Palace used by mandarins to prepare for court ceremonies. After lunch and some time to explore further at our own pace, our afternoon continues with a cruise by dragon boat along the tranquil waters of the Perfume River, before joining a local family for dinner.
    Day 8 - Hue – Hoi An
    Our day commences with a visit to the imperial tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Ruling from 1848–83, Emperor Tu Duc enjoyed the longest reign of the Nguyen dynasty. Despite having over a hundred wives and concubines, he was unable to father a son and was left to write his own epitaph, even though he believed doing so was a bad omen. His epitaph can still be found on the stele, the largest of its type in Vietnam, in the pavilion to the east of his tomb. This afternoon we travel to Hoi An via the scenic Hai Van Pass, the geographical and psychological boundary between North and South Vietnam.
    Day 9 - Hoi An
    Hoi An was known as Faifo to early western traders, and it was one of Southeast Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This ancient town remains a well-preserved mix of both indigenous and foreign influences, with architecture styles pulled from Chinese, Japanese and later European, designs. Our walking tour this morning includes a visit to the Culture and History Museum to learn more about this charming town before taking a stroll along the main street where we’ll come to the Chinese Assembly Hall of Fujien Chinese Community. This was built in 1697 as a place of worship dedicated to Thien Hau—the Goddess of the Sea. Strolling along the banks of the river we’ll come to the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, first built by the Japanese community in order to link the town with the Chinese quarters on the other side of the river. Special Experience Visit the colourful local market before taking a short cruise along the Hoi An River to the secluded Red Bridge Cooking School for an aromatic and informative cooking class.
    Day 10 - Hoi An
    Today is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the resort and local surrounds or explore the old city at your own pace. An ideal town to discover by foot, why not immerse yourself in Hoi An’s fascinating history. Optional Excursion My Son - Travel to My Son, the former religious centre of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated civilisation which held sway over the region from the 2nd to the 13th centuries. The Cham religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. The ruins of the five archaeological sites are located among green hills and winding streams. After a brief visit to the Visitor’s Centre for an overview of Cham history and culture, walk along the forested paths to explore the ruins. 3 ½ hours – from US $60pp (private including transfers).
    Day 11 - Hoi An – Danang – Saigon
    We’ll transfer to the airport today for our flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The largest city in Vietnam, the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life is visible everywhere in Saigon. It is a city of contrasts, with towering skyscrapers standing alongside traditional markets and ancient temples and a vibrant street food scene that reflects its diverse cultural influences. The city is constantly moving, yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. Special Experience Go off the beaten track to discover Saigon’s best food spots. Touring by vespa, we'll taste authentic Vietnamese cuisine as the locals do.
    Day 12 - Saigon – Mekong Delta – Saigon
    We explore the Ben Tre province in the Mekong region today, riding a xe lôi (a motorized bike with a cart to sit in) to the local village of Huu Dinh. Travelling along the tributaries and narrow canals in a traditional-style cruise boat, we can observe daily life along the banks. We’ll stop at a family-owned coconut processing business and a brick making factory before enjoying fresh fruit and tea with a local family. After lunch at a riverside restaurant, we continue our xe lôi excursion to visit Mr Sau Toung, a former Viet Cong soldier who spent two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Challenging Day Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.
    Day 13 - Saigon – Vung Tau
    Our half day city tour departs from the historic Rex Hotel today, as we begin our walking discovery of some of Saigon’s most famous locations. Our first stops are the iconic Dong Khoi Street, the Municipal Theatre, Hotel de Ville and Nguyen Hue Boulevard. We’ll then head to the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office before hopping on our coach to finish our tour. Our final sights in the city centre include the impressive Presidential Palace (Re-unification Palace) with its lush gardens and secret rooms and the War Remnants Museum, a sobering reminder of the brutal effects of war on civilian populations. Lastly, we’ll make our way to the Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we depart for Vung Tau, which became home to the Australian Army during the Vietnam War. Challenging Day Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.
    Day 14 - Vung Tau
    A popular seaside destination for locals, expats and tourist alike, Vung Tau is the ideal getaway to relax by the beach that surrounds the resort town on three sides. We’ll learn more about the Vietnam War today, beginning with visits to Long Tan-Long Dat, where the first Australian Task Force was established in 1966 and the former Nui Dat Task Force. Little remains of this military base today except for the columns of the main gate. We’ll also visit the old bunkers, Kangaroo Pad, SAS Hill –Nui Dat Hill, Luscombe Airfield and the Battalions Flagpole. Next, we’ll see the Nui Dat Kindergarten, built for children of the village by Australian veterans. Continuing on, we’ll visit the Long Tan Cross Memorial, site of the most talked about battle of the Vietnam War for Australians and New Zealanders. We finish with a stop at the Long Phuoc Tunnels, which acted as meeting areas, first-aid stations and fighting pits during the war.
    Day 15 - Vung Tau – Saigon
    We’ll return to Saigon today, where your day is free to explore more of this lively city, or simply unwind at our hotel. Later, we’ll take in the city skyline as we relax with a sundowner atop a rooftop bar, before our group dinner, where we’ll bid farewell to beautiful Vietnam.
    Day 16 - Depart Saigon
    Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!
    Day 17 - Arrive Australia
    Day 17 - Arrive Australia

    Frequently Asked Questions

    You should choose this tour if you are looking for a premium, small-group experience led by Bunnik Tours, the 'OG small group touring experts' with 30 years of experience. This tour offers a perfect balance of professional guidance and the freedom to explore, keeping group sizes to a maximum of 20 people to ensure more meaningful moments of connection and a high-quality travel experience.
    This tour is specifically designed with travellers aged 55 and over in mind. It is ideal for those who appreciate a premium style of travel and are looking for a rewarding experience that balances comfort with authentic cultural immersion, including visits to both famous landmarks and hidden gems.
    The pros include a comprehensive itinerary covering North, Central, and South Vietnam, small group sizes for a more personal feel, and unique experiences like Vespa food tours and cooking classes. A potential con is that some days are designated as 'challenging,' involving extended periods of walking on uneven ground in high heat and humidity.
    While the tour is designed for like-minded travellers and emphasizes the social aspect of 'doing it together,' it is particularly well-suited for couples and solo travellers in the 55+ age bracket. There is no specific mention of family-oriented amenities or child-specific activities in the provided text.
    This tour is an excellent option for both. First-time visitors will benefit from the comprehensive coverage of key cities like Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon, while experienced travellers will enjoy the 'off the beaten track' experiences, such as visiting bronze casting villages and exploring the Mekong Delta via xe lôi.
    Potential travellers with mobility concerns should be cautious, as the tour has a 'Moderate' physicality rating. Specifically, several days are described as 'challenging,' requiring extended walking over uneven ground, and activities include walking tours of narrow alleys, visiting caves, and exploring rural villages.
    This tour provides a balanced blend of all three. It offers extensive sightseeing of UNESCO World Heritage sites and monuments, deep cultural immersion through cooking classes and village visits, and light adventure through Vespa tours in Saigon and cruises in Halong Bay.
    The pace is carefully balanced to suit the 55+ age group, combining structured sightseeing days with moments of relaxation. While some days are quite active with multiple stops, the itinerary includes a full day at leisure in Hoi An and a relaxing stay in the seaside town of Vung Tau.
    The itinerary feels well-rounded rather than rushed, as it allows for a steady progression from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. The inclusion of leisure time in Hoi An and Vung Tau ensures that guests have opportunities to unwind between the more active exploration days.
    Yes, the tour includes many of Vietnam's most iconic highlights, such as Halong Bay, the Imperial Citadel in Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, the Mekong Delta, and major landmarks in Hanoi and Saigon like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the War Remnants Museum.
    While the text does not explicitly detail the guide's language services, it mentions that the tour provides 'just enough guidance' and includes organized visits to local families and markets, implying that the professional tour leadership manages the necessary interactions and translations.
    Disclaimer:
    These FAQs have been generated with the assistance of AI to provide a general overview. They are intended as a starting point only and should be reviewed based on your knowledge, current supplier information and client requirements.
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