7-Day Tour of Saigon and Hanoi

Xin Chao: Welcome to Vietnam!

Today you will be met by your private Maika Tours guide who will be ready and waiting for you at Tan Son Nhat Airport with a welcome sign. We’ll help you with your bags and show you to your private, air-conditioned transport and whisk you off to your accommodation.

Today is all about resting and recovering after your flight so relax and get settled in. Alternatively, if you can’t wait to start exploring, we can show you around the local markets and the surrounding area. Join us in the evening for a delicious welcome dinner and enjoy local specialities.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Some Walking if Desired.

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation With Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Dinner • Tour Guide.

Explore Vietnam’s Recent History

Today we will take you to experience one of Vietnam’s most famous attractions, the Cu Chi Tunnels! Our day starts with a hotel pickup after breakfast, then we’ll hit the road early to beat the crowds.

After a pleasant drive, we’ll arrive at the tunnels where you’ll learn all about their important role in the Viet Cong resistance and how they were used as hiding spots, communication and supply routes, even hospitals and living quarters. You’ll have the chance to go underground and experience the tunnels for yourself! This tour offers a fascinating and informative insight into the lives of the Viet Cong, with plenty to see and learn!

After the excitement of the tunnels, a scenic drive back to HCMC allows us to enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional southern Vietnamese cuisine in a local restaurant.

After lunch and a recharge, we’ll be ready to kick off the afternoon with a visit to the War Remnants Museum where we’ll learn about Vietnam’s past struggles and resistance through two historic wars. Next stop will be the historical Reunification Palace, a beautiful, important, and perfectly preserved building. Witnessing Reunification Palace is like going back in time and experiencing firsthand the important role it played during the Vietnamese War.

Heading back to the city centre, we’ll see the beautiful architecture remaining from French colonial times, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House and City Hall. To end on a high note, we’ll ascend to the famous Rex Hotel rooftop bar and drink in the views, as well as some cocktails!

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation With Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees • Lunch

Get out the City and Into the Delta!

After breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel, get you comfortably seated in our private transport, then set off for today’s adventure to Cai Be! The drive will take about three hours and follows the wonderful Mekong Delta so we can learn about the course of the river and how it arrives from its origins in the snowy mountains of Tibet. Gaze out at the spectacular scenery as we drive through the wonderfully fertile region and capture glimpses of local life.

Once we arrive at Cai Be, we’ll board our private ‘sampan’ (a traditional, motorised boat) to begin our unforgettable cruise along the Mekong River. First, we’ll explore a small, floating market. This is a great chance to experience traditional trading away from the tourist-focused markets of the city. Expect to be dazzled by an array of colours, smells, and sounds. Keep your camera at hand to snap some beautiful shots!

After the floating market, we’ll change to the rowing boats and venture into smaller, more secluded canals of the delta to observe the daily lives of the locals.

Our dryland destination will be Tan Phong island where a group of local singers will greet us with a performance of traditional music from Southwest Vietnam. Then we’ll hop on our bikes and enjoy a cycle tour of the island, visiting local families along the way to learn more about their way of life and their unbelievable resourcefulness. We’ll also have the opportunity to sample some of their Mekong delicacies for lunch including freshly made spring rolls, fried pumpkin flower, and beautifully braised pork soaked in coconut juice.

After our special Mekong lunch, we’ll transfer back to our boat to see the handicraft of local merchants preparing coconut candy and pop-rice. Finally, our last stop before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City is the stunning Cao Dai temple where we can learn about this peaceful religion and admire the temple’s ornate design and bold use of colour.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Machine Boat • Rowing Sampan • Bicycle • Walking.

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation With Breakfast • Private Transport • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees • Lunch.

Travel Back in Time in Hanoi

After a tasty breakfast and hotel checkout, we’ll head to Tan Son Nhat airport for a short 60-minute flight to Hanoi. As you touch down in the capital city, the northern team will be waiting to greet you and kick things off with a half-day city tour.

First stop will be the Temple of Literature; one of the oldest (built in 1070) and most important monuments in Hanoi. It hosts the Imperial Academy, the first university of Vietnam, and is dedicated to Chinese philosopher Confucius who famously said, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart” and so we shall! Onto our next stop, Hoan Kiem Lake.

The lake creates a peaceful, central point for locals in the city, who come here to practice tai chi, exercise, meditate, and even dance. Wherever you look people are enjoying the space, moving their bodies, and socialising. The lake also holds an exciting legend about an emperor, a magic sword, and a golden turtle! Your guide can share the whole story with you while you explore this must-see location and take in its peaceful, yet active vibe.

Surrounding the lake is Hanoi’s Old Quarter where we can walk through the narrow, winding streets that house this lively hub of shops and small businesses. There’s plenty of fantastic photo opportunities here and the chance to experience this unique, ‘travel back in time’ part of Hanoi.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today You’ll Travel By: Aeroplane • Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: Internal Flight From HCMC to Hanoi • 1 Night’s Accommodation With Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees.

Cruise Through Stunning Halong Bay

The wonderful and experienced team from Bhaya Classic Cruises(opens in a new tab) will be taking excellent care of you today. Starting with a morning pick up, you’ll embark on a comfortable, scenic drive through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay which takes about 3.5 hours. Of course, we’ll make a refreshment stop along the way in a traditional little town called Sao Do.

We’ll arrive at the passenger port at about midday and, once aboard, have a safety and itinerary briefing. Then, with a welcome drink in hand, wave goodbye to the shore for the next 24 hours as we set sail for Halong Bay; a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature!

Lunch will be served on deck as we cruise towards the southwest of the bay, allowing you to gaze up in awe at the mysterious and ancient limestone islands jutting out from the emerald green water surrounding you. Our afternoon will include a visit to the fascinating Tien Ong Cave where we’ll descend into a mysterious underground world full of stalactites, caverns, grottos, and vast limestone formations – all delicately lit with safe walkways to make sure you get the best views while protecting this unique environment. As we make our way back up towards the daylight, what better activity than a dip and a swim in the emerald green waters of Halong Bay!

When you’re finished swimming, freshen up for the evening, and join us for Sunset Happy Hour at the bar where you can enjoy some drinks, mix and mingle with other guests, and even win some fun prizes in the ‘Masterchef Competition’!

As our boat anchors for the night, a delicious set menu dinner will be carefully chosen, prepared, and served to cater to all tastes. Relax and enjoy your meal as you unwind after a busy day of exploring and adventuring.

In the evening feel free to either retire to your cabin and catch some z’s or join us on deck to catch some squid! A fun night fishing activity.

Overnight stay in Halong Bay.

Today You’ll Travel By: Comfortable Shuttle Bus • Bhaya Classic Cruise Boat • Walking.

Today’s Inclusions: Overnight Stay on Cruise Boat • Lunch & Dinner • Entrance Fees.

Experience The Magic of Cua Van

Ease yourself into the day with a sunrise tai chi lesson that comes with complimentary tea and coffee; a fantastic way to rejuvenate body and mind while greeting golden dawn in the bay.

Afterwards, a light breakfast will be served while we weigh anchor and set sail for Cua Van Floating Village – proudly featured in the Huffington Post’s ‘11 Insanely Beautiful Small Towns Around the World’(opens in a new tab). From here we can either kayak or take a traditional rowing boat and head out to discover local life on the water.

You’ll probably have built up quite an appetite after all that rowing so we’ll also be serving a tasty brunch and a chance to rest before we check out and head back to dry land where we disembark at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port.

The final leg of today’s adventure takes us back to Hanoi in a comfortable shuttle bus. Don’t worry, we’ll make a refreshment stop at Dong Trieu Ceramics Village before dropping you off at your next accommodation!

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today You’ll Travel By: Comfortable Shuttle Bus • Bhaya Classic Cruise Boat.

Today’s Inclusions: Kayaking or Row Boat Excursion • Breakfast & Brunch • Transport Back to Hanoi • Hotel Drop-off.

Departure Day

Tạm biệt! Goodbye! Sadly today is departure day. After checking out of your hotel, your trusty guide will be there to help you with your bags and make sure you arrive at the airport in good time. Whether you’re heading home or onto the next leg of your adventure, we’ll wish you the best of luck and have no doubt that you’ll be leaving with great memories thanks to your fantastic Maika Tour!

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van.

Trip Inclusions: Private Guide • Private Airport Transfers.