Journey through Vietnam

Your journey begins on your overnight flight to No Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

Welcome to Vietnam! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a friendly YMT representative will greet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel. After your long flight, this evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Meet your fellow travelers and learn what to expect in the days ahead at this evening’s delicious welcome dinner.

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour by bicyle taxi of Vietnam’s capital city. See the Hanoi Hilton, the Hoa Lo Prison built by the French in the 1880’s and used to hold American POWs in the Vietnam War, the Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex and Mausoleum, the elegant One Pillar Pagoda, and the John McCain Monument. Your dinner this evening comes with a show courtesy of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. Learn about Vietnam’s legends and historical tales through a water puppet performance, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century, where wooden puppets on a pool of water perform to live music. (B, D)

A boat ride aboard the Emeraude through Halong Bay is a must-see while in Vietnam! This morning, embark on a stunning overnight cruise deep into the spectacular Halong Bay. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its uniquely breathtaking limestone karsts and thousands of small islets. It has been inhabited by humans and early human ancestors for tens of thousands of years, and has some of the greatest sunsets and scenery in the world. (B, L, D)

Take the morning to relax and say goodbye to Vietnam’s scenic northeast, then board the short flight to Da Nang Airport in the country’s center. Enjoy dinner at your hotel in Hoi An, and rest up for tomorrow’s unforgettable walking tour! (B)

Enjoy a leisurely walk through Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Thu Bon River. You’ll have the opportunity to wander through this well-preserved 15th-19th century trading port, which is an amazing showcase of Southeast Asian architecture, art, and culture. You’ll enjoy several uniquely beautiful stops, including the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tran Family Chapel. You’ll also get to try crafting a traditional Vietnamese lantern! (B)

Your day begins with a drive through the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five picturesque marble and limestone mountains renowned for their caves, tunnels, and Buddhist sanctuaries. From there, we’ll visit the Cham Museum, which houses a small but very lovely collection of traditional stone sculptures. After riding through the Hai Van Pass, a beautiful coastal mountain road, you’ll reach Hue, the stunning coastal town that was home to the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last ruling family. (B)

After a delicious breakfast, start another funpacked day with boat ride up the Perfume River. See the Thien Mu Pagoda, Royal Imperial City with Flag Tower, Meridian Gate, and Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, and Vinh Tu traditional garden house. Next, take a sightseeing trip to the Hue Imperial City, a walled palace within Hue’s citadel. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1804 by Gia Long, Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Stop at the Tha Om Garden House, a traditional 19th century Hue residence, before taking a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (B)

Wake up in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, and spend the day learning about the Vietnam War right where it was waged. First, visit the Cu Chi tunnels, part of a widespread network of underground tunnels crisscrossing much of Vietnam that were used by Viet Cong soldiers. The Viet Cong used the tunnels as communication and spy routes, as well as to conceal men and supplies. The tunnels were their base of operations during 1968’s Tet Offensive. From there, visit the War Remnants Museum, which contains exhibits and artifacts related to the Vietnam War and other earlier wars fought on Vietnamese soil.

After a walk along Dong Khoi Street, right beside the Saigon River, you’ll reach the Saigon Opera House. A magnificent concert hall completed in 1901, it is one of the finest French-influenced buildings in all of Vietnam. (B)

Your final full day in Vietnam will take you on a scenic Mekong Delta boat trip to Cai Be, a charming rural area with a floating market that sells a wide variety of fruit and other goods. Take a tour of the Tan Phong island village, and see local craftspeople hard at work— handcrafting products from water hyacinth, weaving coconut leaf, and making rice paper. (B, L, D)

Enjoy one final sunrise in Ho Chi Minh City, then it’s time to head home! (B)