The Ultimate Vietnam Adventure

The Ultimate Vietnam Adventure

13 Days of Authentic Experiences

Cruise Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta. Eat street food with locals. Get tailored in Hoi An. Small group (max 18), premium hotels, inclusive pricing, zero hassle. This private tour is a cultural and culinary event that offers a deep dive into this wonderful country, special moments, flexibility and a great small group experience. 

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  • Cost: $4,990 pp
  • 11-23 September 2026
  • Maximum 18 People (Limited Spaces)
  • 13 Days | 12 Nights
  • 4 & 5-Star Hotels + 2 Luxury Cruises
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Days 1-2: Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 1: Friday 11 Sept – Saigon

After our private transfer from the airport and checking into our centrally located hotel, we dive straight in at a nearby Bếp Mẹ Ỉn to sample several classic Vietnamese dishes.

Day 2: Saturday 12 Sept – Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels

Breakfast is your first opportunity to try phở bò (fragrant beef noodle soup, traditionally eaten at breakfast) before we head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, just outside Saigon. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the American War, allowing the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30-40 km from Saigon. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, widened for visitors (otherwise we wouldn’t be able to enter them!).

Lunch on the way home, then a chance to learn about the city’s colonial past with visits to two important sites from the American War – the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace. Dinner tonight is with the locals at an amazing seafood restaurant where you can try snails!

Highlights: ✓ Authentic Vietnamese dinner at Bếp Mẹ Ỉn ✓ Cu Chi Tunnels historical experience ✓ War Remnants Museum ✓ Independence Palace ✓ Colonial architecture (GPO, Notre Dame Cathedral area) ✓ Seafood dinner with snails

Day 3: Sunday 13 Sept – Mekong Delta

We head south into the Mekong Delta to join a Mekong Eyes cruise for three days/two nights. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and daily life of the Mekong Delta people.

In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. The cruise boat anchors for the night, and the day ends with a delicious on-board dinner.

Day 4: Monday 14 Sept – Mekong Delta

Board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively market. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables. We’ll also visit some of the local sweets and cake-making factories, or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.

Day 5: Tuesday 15 Sept – Mekong Delta to Hanoi

The morning offers another opportunity to sit back and watch life on the Mekong Delta, visit a market and stroll through a local village.

In the afternoon we transfer to the airport and take a flight to Hanoi.

 

Highlights: ✓ 3-day/2-night Mekong Eyes luxury cruise ✓ Cai Rang floating market ✓ Sampan boat experiences ✓ Village walks through orchards and rice fields ✓ Local candy and cake-making factories ✓ All meals on board included ✓ Deluxe cabin with ensuite

Day 5 continued: Tuesday 15 Sept – Arrival in Hanoi

Our highly rated four-star hotel overlooks the lake and borders the French Quarter and Old Quarter. Once a bustling area where merchants and artisans gathered to sell their products, the Old Quarter consists of many small, meandering streets, an abundance of shops and all kinds of food. Dinner is a street-side BBQ that offers an amazing variety of meat and seafood. You won’t believe how good it is! The perfect accompaniment is a glass of bia hơi, a foamy, light beer made fresh each day.

Day 6: Wednesday 16 Sept – Hanoi

This morning we visit Hanoi city by Jeep! Riding through the maze of zigzagging backstreets, narrow alleyways and markets, you’ll explore the unknown parts of Hanoi and see how locals live, work and play. Then we drive past the city icons including the Presidential Palace, Ba Dinh Square, Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Temple, Truc Bach Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Opera House and St Joseph Cathedral.

Dinner tonight at the Red Bean Restaurant is a bit more classy.

Day 7: Thursday 17 Sept – Hanoi

This morning we’ll walk around the lake before heading to West Lake where we explore a beautiful temple complex, well off the tourist trail. Lunch at nearby restaurants featuring a battered prawn dish and other local food. You then have a free afternoon. You may like to take a car to the “Hanoi Hilton” (Hoa Lo Prison) or the excellent Vietnam Military History Museum which features numerous aircraft, tanks and weapons from the American War. This evening we’ll eat where Barack Obama ate on his visit to the city, see the city and lake at night, then visit the famous Hanoi Train Street.

Highlights: ✓ Street-side BBQ you grill yourself ✓ Fresh bia hơi (local beer) ✓ Hanoi by Jeep tour through backstreets ✓ Lake-side walks ✓ West Lake temple complex (off tourist trail) ✓ Obama restaurant experience ✓ Famous Hanoi Train Street ✓ Optional: Hanoi Hilton or Military History Museum ✓ Red Bean Restaurant dinner

Day 8: Friday 18 Sept – Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

We’ll be picked up at 8:30am by private coach and head to Ha Long Bay for a three-day, two-night cruise of the spectacular World Heritage-listed site. Our cruise company is arguably the best, taking us well into the bay and off the beaten track. Ha Long Bay is a secluded bay with 2,000 limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters of the Bac Bo Gulf. Enjoy lunch while admiring the formations as we cruise out into the bay.

Your first destination is the Cap La area, also known as a navy base. Here, you can enjoy kayaking to discover majestic rock islets and pristine nature. Enjoy a cooking demonstration before indulging in a magnificent seafood dinner as we anchor in the bay for the night. After dinner you can relax on deck, fish, or enjoy optional spa services before retiring to your air-conditioned, ensuite cabin.

Day 9: Saturday 19 Sept – Ha Long Bay

You can sleep in or enjoy the sunrise and an early morning Tai Chi session, followed by coffee and pastries in the dining room, before a full breakfast is served at 8am. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave, the most beautiful natural cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. Enjoy kayaking and exploring Hon Co Island. This morning we’ll also cruise to Cong Dam area to explore the natural beach, take a stroll, relax and unwind. Here you’ll enjoy a very special BBQ lunch and some beach activities. You have a relaxing afternoon on board before joining an optional Vietnamese cuisine cooking demonstration with Banh Xeo while cruising to Cong Do area.

Day 10: Sunday 20 Sept – Ha Long Bay to Hoi An

We start with a fascinating visit to the Vung Vieng fishing village where a local will row you around the floating houses as you discover their unique way of life. Back on our junk, we cruise towards the harbour while a buffet brunch is served. We disembark at around 11am and drive directly to Hanoi Airport for a flight to Da Nang, then transfer by coach to the ancient city of Hoi An.

Highlights: ✓ 3-day/2-night World Heritage Ha Long Bay cruise ✓ Dragon’s Pearl Junk – premium vessel ✓ 2,000 limestone islands ✓ Kayaking among rock islets ✓ Thien Canh Son Cave exploration ✓ Beach BBQ on natural beach ✓ Tai Chi at sunrise ✓ Cooking demonstrations ✓ Vung Vieng floating fishing village ✓ Optional spa services on board ✓ Air-conditioned ensuite cabins

Day 10 continued: Sunday 20 Sept – Arrival in Hoi An

Hoi An is one destination in Vietnam that every visitor adores. Frozen in time when the port was moved late in the 19th century, it’s now a mecca for food lovers and home to a thousand tailors. We spend three nights in this wonderful town – enough for you to pick up a new wardrobe and discover many of its hidden charms. We’ll eat at a wonderful BBQ restaurant before a meandering stroll over the lantern-filled bridge and through the streets to our hotel. Our five-star hotel is one of the town’s best – quiet yet close to the action, right on the river, with a rooftop pool and great staff and service.

Day 11: Monday 21 Sept – Hoi An

After breakfast we head to the tailors and get kitted out for that bargain-priced, tailor-made dress, suit, jacket, shorts, pants or pair of shoes. We’ll introduce you to some reputable tailors, but of course you’re free to choose your own. We’ll meet up for coffee and then have a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed ancient town including the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House and the iconic Japanese Bridge. For lunch we’ll enjoy bánh mì – a rice flour baguette filled with goodness. Free afternoon before we gather for pre-dinner drinks and a night street food tour and river cruise.

Day 12: Tuesday 22 Sept – Hoi An Free Day

Today is a free day. You can take one of the many famous cooking classes, tour by car to My Son or Marble Mountain/Hai Van Pass, cycle out to the surf beach, or just relax by the pool and wander the town. We meet for pre-dinner cocktails before we eat our final dinner together at Little Faifo Restaurant.

Day 13: Wednesday 23 Sept – Hoi An to Home

We check out at midday, so there’s time to enjoy the town one last time. We transfer to Da Nang mid-afternoon and fly to Saigon, then transfer for overnight flights to Australia.

Highlights: ✓ 3 nights in 5-star Little Riverside Hotel ✓ Custom tailor-made clothing at bargain prices ✓ UNESCO-listed ancient town walking tour ✓ Japanese Bridge ✓ Phuc Kien Assembly Hall ✓ Tan Ky House ✓ Lantern-lit evening strolls ✓ River cruise ✓ Street food tour ✓ Authentic bánh mì lunch ✓ Optional: Cooking classes, My Son ruins, beach cycling ✓ Final dinner at Little Faifo Restaurant ✓ Rooftop pool at hotel

BOOKING DETAILS & TERMS

$4,990 per person (twin share)
Single supplement: $1,590

Deposit: $1,250 per person secures your place
Balance due: 1 June 2026

What’s Included

✓ 12 nights in 4 & 5-star hotels
✓ Two 3-day/2-night luxury cruises (shared cabin)
✓ All meals throughout the tour
✓ Beer and soft drinks (except on cruises)
✓ Some cocktails
✓ Expert tour director and local guides
✓ Air-conditioned deluxe coaches
✓ All entrance fees and activities
✓ Baggage handling
✓ Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff

Not Included

✗ International and domestic flights
✗ Vietnam e-visa (US$25 – we’ll provide the link)
✗ Travel insurance (required)
✗ Drinks on cruises
✗ Wine and some cocktails
✗ Tips for cruise staff and fishing village boat
✗ Optional activities
✗ Personal expenses

Cancellation Policy

Before 28 Feb 2026: Free cancellation
1 Mar – 31 May 2026: Deposit forfeited
1 June – 31 July 2026: 30% refund
After 31 July 2026: No refund

Requirements

Age: 18+ only. Tour is not strenuous but requires self-care capability.

Passport: Must be valid 6 months beyond tour end date with one blank page. Name on flight bookings must match passport exactly.

Visa: E-visa required (US$25). Link provided upon booking.

Insurance: Travel insurance is mandatory and must be arranged by you.

Flights: You purchase your own flights. Details provided at booking. You may use preferred carriers but must arrange your own transfers if not traveling with the group.

Dietary needs: Most requirements can be accommodated – advise at booking.

Questions?

Tim Foster
📧 tim@bluewatersail.com.au
📱 0412 878 739