Like a signature dish in a restaurant or a novel you can’t put down, there are some things that you just can’t get enough of and this vacation is one of them. Adventure through Vietnam on a highlights tour to experience the beauty, history, wonder, and grandeur of the country. On this custom tailored tour you will discover the breathtaking scenery of Ha Long Bay and the charismatic floating lanterns of Hoi An. From Saigon to Hanoi, the Imperial City of Hue to the labyrinth of tunnels at Cu Chi,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City – The Past Meets the Present
Welcome to the endless energy of Ho Chi Minh City, once known to outsiders, and most often referred to by locals as Saigon. The city is an expansive collection of modern buildings creating a skyline that is surrounded by a pulsing bustle from the residents. You are met at the airport by a private transfer and taken to your accommodation. Located at the heart of the business and entertainment neighborhood, known as District 1, the luxuries of the hotel come from its comfortable rooms, lavish view, and close proximity to the famous Ben Thanh Market and many of the city’s highlights.
Delight in lunch at one of the many splendid local eateries where the flavor of the city is not just within the food but also in the atmosphere. Pho 2000, is a distinct example of this fusion. This famous restaurant is remembered as the location Bill Clinton tasted his first pho in Vietnam while on tour in the year 2000. Follow your guide through the city visiting the landmarks that are well known to both locals and visitors and which showcase the immense diversity of Ho Chi Minh City’s past and present. The Reunification Palace was home to the President of South Vietnam until the mid-1970s and continues to be a time capsule of the era. Beyond the manicured grass and springing fountain is the large boxlike five-story building filled with a collection of tunnels, a war room, and a telecommunications center frozen in time.
Stepping into the war command room you enter a space that looks as though it hasn’t been touched since the reunification of the country. Maps remain on the wall while telecommunications equipment, from phones to operating systems, is prominently displayed. In an adjoining room, war propaganda material is displayed in various manners, and the rooftop contains a terrace with a heliport. In the evening you will come to the Vietnam House where the comforts of the cuisine mix with the luxuries of the restaurant, welcoming you to Vietnam.
What's Included:
Day 2
Hoi An – Into the Country and Beyond
Day 3
Hoi An – History Unfolded
Day 4
Hue – Marbled Mountains and Purple Cities
Day 5
Hanoi – Discovering Imperial Pasts
Day 6
Hanoi – Limitless Capital
Day 7
Hanoi – The Depths of the Bay
Day 8
Hanoi – Once More Around
Trip Highlights
- Witness the far reaching history of the Imperial City at Hue, filled with opulent architecture and lavish ruins
- Experience the vast network of subterranean passageways dating back to the conflict with the French at the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Discover the charming culture that remains within the once strong port city of Hoi An
- Traverse the remarkable scenery of Ha Long Bay, from the sensational color of the water to the breathtaking caves
- Taste the unique, delicate, and diverse flavors of traditional Vietnamese cuisine throughout the country
Detailed Description
The splendor of Vietnam can be seen in the cities and the countryside, shining in the landscape and overflowing in the gregariousness of the people. On this eight-day tour of the country’s highlights you will explore the past and present cultures that have created one of the most unique areas of the world. Find the remarkable architecture of the Imperial City and the grace of Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy the delicate flavors of the cuisine and witness the legends of both the scenery and people. You will not just be visiting the highlights of Vietnam, but will also be making memories of your own.
Your trip to Vietnam begins in Ho Chi Minh City, known affectionately to locals as Saigon. The city is a vibrant picture of the modern day country, where the traditional culture continues to thrive within the shadow of the skyscrapers along the Saigon River. You are met by your private guide and taken through the city to see the tremendous life, from the Thien Hau Pagoda to the Binh Tay Market. The following day you will visit a small rice paper factory before continuing onward to the Cu Chi Tunnels; the network of the channels beneath the earth are maze-like. Later in the day you will fly to Danang and come to the elegant city of Hoi An, a historic trading post. A tour through Hoi An brings you to the charismatic buildings of the Old City and the floating lanterns that dangle and jingle in the breeze.
Outside of Hoi An you will explore the Marble Mountains and the Cham Museum of Danang followed by a drive over the gorgeous Hai Van Pass arriving in the old Imperial City of Hue. Step onto a dragon boat and float down the Perfume River to witness the majesty of the city’s history, from the Tien Mu Pagoda to a collection of emperors’ tombs. Later in the day you will catch your flight to Hanoi and settle into the diverse culture that energizes the streets. Venture through the city on a guided tour finding the old and new charm of the neighborhoods, from the Temple of Literature to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Your final full day in Vietnam will bring you to Ha Long Bay traversing the waterway to absorb the quintessential splendor of the landscape, from the caves to the karsts. The following day you will be taken to the airport for your flight home.
For additional tour ideas, see the variety of Vietnam travel packages offered by Zicasso.
Starting Price
$2,400 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 638 reviews.
The trip was well organized by Zicasso's travel company. We had nice hotel accommodations we liked the guides a lot.
Reviewed By Guillermina M.
Amazing! Zicasso's travel agent worked with my son and me to plan the perfect trip in celebration of his college graduation. She arranged for friendly and knowledgeable tour guides and went out of her way to ensure we were happy.
Reviewed By Jennifer S.
We had an amazing, nearly three-week trip throughout Southeast Asia. Zicasso's tour operators did an incredible job planning all of the details of the trip. In general, I am not easily impressed and I tend to be pretty upfront with my criticism. In this case, I was truly impressed. I really don't have any criticism about the whole experience.
This was a very complicated trip, with eight cities/locations and six internal flights. We had great communication in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. They were receptive to all of our requests and they gave very good advice when we had questions.
All of the guides were great. The hotels were amazing and all of the details of the activities, transfers, and internal flights were well thought out and well coordinated. I was so impressed by their attention to detail. They were also willing to be flexible and able to make changes, even during the trip. I was able to reach them throughout the trip by WhatsApp and they responded quickly every time. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.
Reviewed By Jeffrey W.
We traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia from May 8 to 22, 2025. This was my fifth trip through Zicasso. As expected, the itinerary was excellent and exactly what we were looking for. I did double my budget from what I initially sent to Zicasso.
All of the lodging selections were outstanding. Along with the tours of the Ho Chi Minh complex, Hue Imperial City, the Angkor Wat complex, and numerous other temples and pagodas, we experienced a cable car ride to a mountain summit, a walk through an ethnic village, a water puppet show, a Cambodian circus, a Vietnamese cooking class, an evening lantern boat ride in Hoi An, and dinner in one of the top 50 restaurants in Asia. The water puppets are an ancient Vietnamese art (11th century) and the show was extraordinary.
Reviewed By Marcia H.
Zicasso's travel specialist arranged a wonderful trip and was extremely responsive to our interest in all art forms, culture, cuisine, and the American war in Vietnam. She was very receptive to revisions, even during the trip.
Reviewed By Marlene H.
Zicasso’s travel agency worked patiently with us over several months to organize a perfect four-country tour through Indochina, doing exactly what we asked, including a Khmer cooking class with a local chef.
We were met on arrival in each county by an experienced English-speaking guide who was well-versed in the history, geography, and culture of each location, and they were just delightful people too. They took us to rural villages and through urban mazes to get a close look at the daily life of the citizens. We chatted with farmers in the field and had meals in local homes. Our agency booked amazing hotels for each stop, from an eco-lodge in the mountains of Vietnam to a spectacular seaside resort in Thailand.
We had contact names and numbers for agency representatives in each country. They were incredibly responsive, even after hours, when we had a small medical issue. They gave us a completely seamless experience from arrival to departure, with no wasted time. Vacation time is very precious, so we prefer to work with professionals who know the area intimately and take the time to understand our objectives rather than pushing a canned itinerary.
Reviewed By David H.