Compare Solo - Vietnamese Discovery by Titan Travel vs Vietnam in 9 days - Natural Wonders & Traditions - Charm by Exoticca

Day 1 London - In flight
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a scheduled Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City, which may touch down in Frankfurt.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City
Following an early morning arrival into Ho Chi Minh City we transfer to the Renaissance Riverside Hotel (4T+). An early check-in has been arranged to allow time to relax and refresh before we start exploring the city formerly known as Saigon. This afternoon we head to the former Presidential Palace. In 1975, a soldier ran into the building to unfurl a VC flag from the balcony, symbolising the transfer of power from General Minh. This landmark is now a museum of meeting rooms and reception rooms, the president’s living quarters, and a fascinating war room and telecommunications centre. We then take a stroll to the major colonial sights of the city, including the Opera House and the Old Saigon Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City
We leave the old capital behind, and drive through scenes of rice paddies and villagers drying noodles by the roadside as we head to the Cu Chi district. The famous Cu Chi Tunnels are an incredible underground network, constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars to house troops, transport and supplies. Our visit highlights what life would have been like as a communist guerrilla, seeing living quarters and typical meals, and rifles, booby traps and command centres. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to our hotel for some time at leisure. This evening we take in views of the city as we enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be
We depart for Cai Be, on the Mekong Delta. This town relies on the network of rivers and canals to produce rice, as well as using it as a highway for vessels distributing agricultural products. We take a boat trip to see the local trading boats and visit some home factories that produce rice paste, rice popcorn and coconut candy. We continue along meandering tributaries to evergreen islands, and take a short walk through a local village and fruit gardens to a preserved ‘Mandarin’ house, built centuries ago. The owner will serve an appetising Vietnamese lunch before we continue to Tan Phong Island, where we take a rowing boat through the canals. We then continue to our hotel, the Mekong Riverside Resort (3T).

Day 5 Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang
We return to Ho Chi Minh City to board the North-South Railway (known as the ‘Reunification Express’) for a 7.5-hour journey through towns and rice fields to Nha Trang. Upon arrival in Nha Trang this evening, we transfer to our hotel, the Novotel (4T).

Day 6 Nha Trang
We take a tour of this seaside city, including Hon Chong, a quiet fishing village with a bay of karsts like a mini Halong Bay; and the Po Nagar Cham Towers. The four surviving towers are still actively used for worship by Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists. We also visit the Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue, and the Oceanographic Museum, which displays the local marine environment, including reef sharks, turtles and sea horses. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before an afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 Nha Trang - Danang - Hoi An
Enjoy a morning at leisure before we make our way back to the station for a train to Danang. We arrive in Danang late tonight, and transfer to Hoi An and our hotel, the Hoi An Resort (3T+).

Day 8 Hoi An
Learn about rural life in Tra Que Village. We visit a farm and help the farmers prepare the land, fertilising it with seaweed, raking, sowing and picking crops. Afterwards we see how to prepare tam huu - paperless spring rolls, and try this irresistible delicacy. We return to Hoi An for lunch at a local restaurant before a walking tour of the ancient town centre. We visit former merchants’ houses, a Chinese communal hall, the colourful market and the beautiful little 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

Day 9 Hoi An
The former capital and religious centre of the Champa Kingdom is our destination this morning. My Son’s skyline is shaped by dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. We tour the temples, get an insight into Cham culture, and learn how even this remote site was not immune to bombing during the Vietnam War. On our way back to Hoi An, we stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

Day 10 Hoi An - Danang - Hue
Journey first to Danang to visit the Cham Museum, which contains the world’s finest collection of Cham sculptures, then drive over the dramatic Pass of Ocean Clouds, where forts, pillboxes and defensive walls mark the former national frontier. The road drops down to the coast, and the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. We have some time here for lunch before we visit the Mausoleum of Tu Duc. The tomb was used as a palace retreat before becoming the Emperors’ resting place. We also visit Tu Hieu Pagoda, a serene Buddhist haven which still shelters 70 monks, and Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is grandiose, yet traditional Vietnamese in design, with a unique European touch. We head into Hue and check in to the Indochine Palace (4T+).

Day 11 Hue
We start our tour of Hue at the Imperial Citadel, modelled on Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City, from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945. The French and American wars destroyed a large portion, but UNESCO is assisting with its restoration. We then take a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. The 21m-tall tower at the centre of the pagoda was constructed to fulfil an old woman’s prophecy of prosperity. Enjoy a stroll through the Dong Ba market, the biggest commercial centre of Thua Thien Hue Province, before lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 12 Hue - Hanoi
Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi. We check in to the Lapis Hotel (4T) before we visit Hoa Lo. This huge prison held anti-colonial revolutionaries and prisoners of war in often cramped, inhumane conditions. Our next stop is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070. Later, we drive to Hoan Kiem Lake and take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers.

Day 13 Hanoi - Halong Bay
Travel to Halong Bay, where we board the Indochina Sails (4T). Our overnight cruise begins as we take lunch on board this modern, yet traditional vessel. In the afternoon, enjoy activities or just relax as we sail amongst the thousands of forest-topped pillars that fill the bay. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among these towering karst formations.

Day 14 Halong Bay - Hanoi
Wake early for an unforgettable sunrise, and enjoy breakfast as we cruise slowly back towards port. We disembark and make our way back to the Lapis Hotel (4T) in Hanoi, stopping for lunch en route. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 15 Hanoi
Today’s excursion starts at the monumental marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam. We then visit his home from 1954-1969, a simple wooden house; and the One Pillar Pagoda, an important symbol of Hanoi founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. We continue to West Lake and Tran Quoc, one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi; and the nearby Toaist temple of Quan Thanh, which dates from the Ly Dynasty. If time permits, we also visit the ancient Hanoi Citadel, an intriguing relic with many artefacts dating as far back as the 6th century. Spend the afternoon at leisure, before we finish our day with a Water Puppet Show. This uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicts scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Day 16 Hanoi - In flight
The majority of the day is free before our late evening transfer to Hanoi Airport for a scheduled Vietnam Airlines flight to London, which may touch down in Frankfurt.

Day 17 London
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Hanoi. Night on board.

Day 2: Hanoi

Arrive in Vietnam and transfer to your hotel. Take the opportunity to explore this bustling city and get to know your surroundings. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off on an orientation tour of Hanoi to discover the most emblematic sights of this historic city. Pass by old French colonial buildings and the Opera House on your way to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex and Mausoleum, dedicated to the nation's founder.* Also see Ba Dinh Square and One Pillar Pagoda, which dates back to the foundation of the city. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, home to beautiful gardens and well-preserved architecture. Afterwards, enjoy a cyclo ride (a type of Vietnamese rickshaw) around the charming streets of the Old Quarter and visit a bustling local market. End your tour on the banks of beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, where you can learn about the legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hanoi. * Please note: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is viewed from the outside on Mondays, Fridays and in the afternoons as it is closed at these times.

Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to being your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board. * There will be no guide on board.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An

Brunch on board as the junk continues to cruise before you return to Ha Long port. Disembark and transfer to Hai Phong airport for a flight to Danang. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and then transfer to your hotel in the charming city of Hoi An, known for its pretty lantern-lit streets. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of atmospheric Hoi An. This former port and UNESCO World Heritage site is full of architectural gems that show a range of influences. You can admire these charming houses along Tran Phu Street, one of the oldest in Hoi An, visit the 400 years-old Japanese covered bridge, the Chinese temple, and a traditional Vietnamese merchants house. The afternoon is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional Thu Bon River & Organic Village Excursion.* Overnight stay in Hoi An. * Optional Full-Day Thu Bon River & Organic Village Excursion: Experience real rural life in Vietnam with this full-day tour, which includes a cruise on the Thu Bon River, passing many fishing areas. Stop at Van Lang Village to witness basket boat racing, before heading to Tra Que Herb Village, where local farmers will give you an insight into their organic produce. Enjoy a culinary masterclass in Vietnamese cuisine before enjoying a delicious lunch.

Day 7: Hoi An - Hue

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel along one of Vietnams most scenic highways towards the city of Hue. Along the way, stop at the white sands of Lang Co Beach and the top of Hai Van Pass for exceptional views. Arrive in Hue and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city's sights. Visit the Imperial City and the Royal Citadel. Much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored. Next, visit King Khai Dinh Mausoleum and browse through a bustling local market. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Hue.

Day 8: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War. Continue to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon. The tour finishes with Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in this exciting city.* We recommend an optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. * Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Depart to Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu bridge. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributes of Mekong River while witnessing the lively activities of local life along the way. Stop at a brick kiln and visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Take a motorized cart or bicycle along the shady paths and pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to discover everyday life on the river. Take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before you return to the pier.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - US

Breakfast at the hotel. If your flight departs in the afternoon, we recommend the option to enjoy a half-day Cu Chi tunnels visit.* In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Optional Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion: Spend the morning exploring the impressive tunnel complex of Cu Chi, dug in 1948 for guerrillas to escape the bombardment of French forces. Explore the underground villages and understand the history of the tunnels.