Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

Vietnam has a great mixture of culture, colonial and indigenous history, war history along with being a country of natural beauty.  On their school trip students will be able to explore all aspects on their tour from the cultural centre of Hanoi to the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, from mixing with Vietnamese students to exploring the battlefields.

Request Info Request Quote
Halong Bay, Vietnam

https://worldstrides.com.au/itineraries/lasting-impressions

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

Vietnam has a great mixture of culture, colonial and indigenous history, war history along with being a country of natural beauty.  On their school trip students will be able to explore all aspects on their tour from the cultural centre of Hanoi to the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, from mixing with Vietnamese students to exploring the battlefields.

Request Info Request Quote
Skip to Content
Share itinerary

11 Days*

Destinations

Ho Chi MinhHoi AnHueHa Long BayHanoi

Learning Areas

Humanities & Social Sciences

*Extend your tour

Days 11-13: Cambodia extension

Your Adventure

1 Hello Ho Chi Minh City
  • Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City Meet your Tour Director who will accompany you for the duration of your tour and check in to your hotel.
  • Ho Chi Minh City Walk Explore the city with your Tour Director and visit Vinh Nghiêm Pagoda, see a Lacquerware workshop, Chinatown (Cholon), Thien Hau Pagoda, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, City Hall, and Bình Tây Market.
2 Ho Chi Minh City
  • Vietnam War Cu Chi Tunnels Visit the Viet Cong’s infamous Cu Chi tunnels. During the Vietnam War these tunnels served as supply routes, hiding spots and underground living quarters containing storage bunkers, hospitals and kitchen facilities!
3 Ho Chi Minh City
  • Optional - Long Tan Battlefield Excursion Visit the site of the Battle of Long Tan, Australia’s most costly single engagement of the Vietnam War.
4 Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An
  • Fly to Da Nang
  • Museum of Cham Sculpture visit From the 7th through the 17th centuries, Champa culture flourished in southern Vietnam. The culture was heavily influenced by India and brought both Hinduism and Buddhism into the country as well as creating a superb artistic heritage. See the highlights of Cham sculpture in this museum, including elaborate altars to Shiva and intricate animal figures.
  • Travel to Hoi An via Marble Mountains & China Beach In 1992, China Beach was the site of Vietnam's first international surfing competition. The beautiful Marble Mountains, said to represent each of the five elements (water, wood, metal, earth, and fire), surround China Beach. The mountains contain mysterious caves and caverns, many now dedicated to deities.
  • Hoi An city walk Miraculously escaping the ravages of Vietnam's modern wars, the merchant city of Hoi An brings visitors back into old Vietnam. The town was once a major international port, and the influence of the Japanese, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and Chinese merchants who walked its streets lingers in its architecture. See merchant houses and shops from the 1700’s with their unique wooden doors, a picturesque Japanese-style covered bridge, and imposing assembly halls for Chinese residents with your tour director.
5 Hoi An
  • Chinese Assembly Halls visit Explore Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage listed town on a walking tour that will take you to the Chinese Assembly Halls and Japanese Bridge.
6 Hoi An
  • Hoi An local markets visit Experience the heart of the Hoi An communities and see the locals at their most authentic pace with smiles, yelling and laughter. Soak up the essence of Hoi An markets with the local fresh food, colours, smells and souvenirs.
  • Free time in Hoi An Check out the bustling markets, enjoy some traditional dishes at one of the local cafes, or perhaps visit one of Hoi An’s many tailor shops to get an outfit made!
7 Hoi An - Hue
  • Travel to Lang Co fishing village
  • Mausoleums of Emperors Khai Dinh & Minh Mang visit Emperors Minh Mang (ruled 1820-41) and Khai Dinh (1916-25) built grand temples to serve as their palaces after death. Authoritarian Minh Mang used 10,000 workers for three years to construct his Chinese-style complex, while the construction of Khai Dinh's mausoleum took two years longer than his nine-year reign. The result is a frothy Baroque palace filled with elaborate dragons and other decoration, much of it imported from France.
8 Hue - Hanoi
  • Imperial Citadel visit The capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, Hué still flashes its first-city pride at the citadel. Emperor Gia Long created a full city within its walls; unfortunately, his magnificent buildings were mostly destroyed during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, which leveled most of the city. What remains is still impressive, however, especially the Thai Hoa Palace, whose gleaming red and gold interior hosted major imperial ceremonies. Don't miss the soaring Ngo Mon gate at the entrance - in addition to its elegant watchtower, the gate boasts two entrances dedicated for use solely by the emperor's elephants.
  • Huong He (Yellow River) cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda The Thiên Mu Pagoda, built in 1601, is the oldest pagoda in Hue, and it has historically been active as an intellectual and political hub of Buddhism. During the war one of its monks, Quang Duc, set himself on fire in Saigon to protest the violence of war; the blue Austin car he used to drive himself there is still on display at the pagoda.
  • Dong Ba Market visit The colourful, noisy Dong Ba market is a perfect place to shop for souvenirs. Be sure to check out the translucent conical hats, called 'non Hue.'A local specialty, the hats are designed with multicoloured patterns or writing on the inside that reflects prettily on the wearer's face when the sun shines.
  • Fly to Hanoi
9 Ha Long Bay
  • Travel to Ha Long Bay Journey by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Made up of 1600 islands, Ha Long Bay legend says the islands were created by a great dragon living in the mountains.
  • Ha Long Bay cruise Take in the breathtaking scenery around you on an overnight cruise.
10 Ha Long Bay- Hanoi
  • Hanoi guided sightseeing tour After returning to Hanoi via coach, take a guided tour of Ho Chí Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Army Museum, and the Old Merchant Quarter.
11 Depart Vietnam OR Start extension to Siem Reap
  • Travel home or extend to Cambodia
  • Extension: Fly to Siem Reap Return home date is subject to flight schedule.
  • Tonlé Sap Lake cruise Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, cruise over the shimmering surface of Tonlé Sap Lake to see floating villages and observe the surroundings for rare wildlife; and watch agricultural traditions of harvesting, rice planting and cricket catching.
  • Floating villages visit
  • Phnom Bakheng Hill Phnom Bakheng is a Hindu and Buddhist temple in the form of a temple mountain. Dedicated to Shiva, it was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman.
  • View sunset at Angkor site
12 Angkor Wat
  • Angkor Archaeological Park guided sightseeing tour The Angkor complex is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over 4000 square feet, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the glorious remains of the capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. Explore the famed Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.
  • Old Market visit
13 Depart Vietnam

Request Quote

Thank you for your interest in our WorldStrides Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi Tour! Please tell us a little more about yourself so we can get you sent to the right place.