The ultimate Vietnam voyage
Sail through Halong Bay on a traditional junk boat, cycle the countryside of Hoi An and explore Ho Chi Minh on a backseat Vespa safari
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Trip Highlights
Kayak the karsts
Paddle the limestone caves in the UNESCO park of Halong, then return for karaoke on your boat
Vespa high
Take a backseat Vespa safari around Ho Chi Minh City and discover its rooftop bars
Foodie foray
Dive into Hanoi’s vibrant foodie scene, with a flavour safari through local markets and cafés
Halong by boat
Sail through Halong Bay on a traditional junk boat, with onboard tai chi and a private crew at your service
Hoi An hit
Master the art of Vietnamese cuisine with a local cooking class, and cycle past shimmering rice paddies
Head down under
Discover an underground network in the Cu Chi tunnels and learn all about Vietnam’s war legacy
What's included
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7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 4 dinners, including Hanoi street food and a Hoi An cooking class
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7 nights’ accommodation in twin-room boutique hotels
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All activities, from cooking to Halong Bay sailing & Vespa driving included. Local Flash Pack guide and driver
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Max 14 Flashpackers
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2 internal flights to Danang and Ho Chi Minh
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Private airport transfers anytime on Day 1, country travel in private minibus
About the trip
Ready to escape on our express Vietnam adventure?
Our whirlwind getaway to this South-East Asian nation is jam-packed with unique experiences, offering a bite-sized snippet into a country of dreams. Join us as we eat our way through the street food stalls of Hanoi and sail past the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, with cave kayaking thrown in along the way. Belt out the classics with onboard karaoke and then find your zen with floating tai chi, before cutting a chase to the elegant streets of Hoi An. Cycle down its lantern-lined alleyways and along the river to a countryside dotted with rice paddies.
Then, flex your culinary skills as you learn how to make a fleet of Vietnamese dishes using secret family recipes. There’s just time for a crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels before we finish up at Ho Chi Minh City, with a backseat Vespa safari and craft beer in the city’s hippest rooftop bars.
Roll up, Flashpackers – there’s a sunset drink with your name on.
Where you will stay
Bach Suites Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
New design-led hotel in trendy District 3
These chic rooms are decked out in a hip colour palette of greys and blues, and sit in the heart of District 3, Ho Chi Minh City’s coolest neighbourhood.
Why we stay here
Start the day with a few laps of the rooftop pool, followed by a traditional Vietnamese noodle breakfast in the Bach Lounge. You might want to cut short your sightseeing for Bach’s complimentary afternoon tea and cocktail hour.
Conifer Boutique Hotel, Hanoi
Smart rooms overlooking the French Quarter
Expect teak floors, Vietnamese fabrics and elegant balconies in Conifer’s guest rooms. Ask for a street-facing suite if you’re feeling nosy.
Why we stay here
Only a five-minute walk from the tranquil shores of Hoan Kiem Lake and a 15-minute walk from the lively food stalls at Hanoi Night Market. Order a beer at the convivial street-side terrace and watch the world go by.
Silk Luxury Hotel & Spa, Hoi An
Boutique spa hotel near the river
When you’ve finished relaxing in your elegant, air-conditioned room, you can hit the fitness centre, swim in one of the two pools or book in for a massage.
Why we stay here
Early morning buffet breakfasts by the pool are the perfect primer for a day’s exploring. Its close proximity to Hoi An Market means you can easily make it back for the bar’s happy hour (which actually runs 5-7.30pm).
The Flash Pack Promise
Here at Flash Pack, we’re committed to unique adventures that deliver great value for money. We pack our trips with epic experiences (unlike other companies, all activities are included), hand-pick stylish hotels and match you with like-minded people.
Itinerary
Day 1
Backstreet food and beer corner
Step off the plane and dive straight into the vibrant mayhem of Hanoi, as your airport transfer whizzes you past blaring horns and speeding scooters to your hotel. Freshen up in your boutique oasis in the heart of the city before a 4pm welcome meeting with your guide and fellow Flashpackers. Then we’ll set forth on a street food tour in one of the city’s largest markets, Dong Xuan. From bun cha cooked over charcoal fires to the best spring rolls in town, get set to dine like a local, eating your way through the sizzling stalls. From here, we’ll stroll through hidden alleyways to discover local foodie hangouts and mooch through the markets of Hanoi’s scenic old quarter, while eating delicious French-Chinese infused dishes. We’ll then hit up the famous beer corner of ‘Bia Hoi’. Enjoy a few ice-cold brews with your fellow Flashpackers, toasting to the adventures ahead…
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Day 2
Set sail on Halong Bay
Bid farewell to the capital – today we’re heading to the emerald waters of Halong Bay. After an early start, we’ll arrive at this World Heritage Site by noon to board a traditional junk boat. You’ll set sail and tuck into a delicious lunch on-deck, enjoying dazzling views of over 2000 jagged islets. After lunch, we’ll kayak the bay, paddling through limestone caves and past floating fishing villages. Cold drinks are ready and waiting back on deck, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. There’s also an optional Vietnamese cooking class onboard. Then, as the sun begins to set, dinner is served up by your own personal chef. Come evening, take in those blazing sunset views with sundowners and a spot of squid fishing (season dependent). Then as darkness falls, make the most of your private location and sing your hearts out with a night of karaoke and dancing under the stars.
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Day 3
Sunrise tai chi and conquering caves
Wake up to the sound of lapping waves and enjoy a lazy start to the day, perfect for sleeping off any sore heads after last night’s mammoth karaoke session. Spend the day relaxing and doing tai chi on deck, before a hearty breakfast looking out to shimmering views across the bay. We’re then heading to Thien Canh Son Cave, one of the lesser known caves in Bai Tu Long Bay where glittering stalactites hang from the ceiling and natural statues are carved into the rugged walls. Emerging out of this amazing underground world, we’ll then hit the road for four hours back to Hanoi. From here we’ll soar into the skies on a flight to Danang, where you’ll be transferred to Hoi An. Take in views of lantern-lined streets and timeless architecture in this historic town, before checking into your boutique home for the next three nights.
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Day 4
Cycle back in time in Hoi An
Wake in the charming town of Hoi An, ready to explore this former trading port. With Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants trading here between the 16th and 18th centuries, you’ll find a blend of different cultures and preserved architecture. We’ll go on a walkabout through the car-free streets, stopping first at the Chua Ong Pagoda where you’ll find locals worshipping and offering incense. From here we’ll hop over to the Jinshang Temple, stop by the 200-year-old Tan Ky House and stroll across the picture-perfect 17th-century bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. Then we’ll cycle through the beautiful countryside surrounding Hoi An, before catching a short boat ride across the Thu Bon river to Cam Kim island. From here we’ll cycle along the quiet roads and rice paddies, basking in this peaceful insight into local rural life. We’ll then head back to the hotel for cold drinks and a welcome dip in the pool.
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Day 5
Cooking classes and secret recipes
Today is a free day to do as your Flashpacker self pleases in Hoi An. You may want to chill by the pool with your nose in a good book, or head into town to hunt down handicrafts at the bustling markets. Hoi An is also home to some of the best tailors in the world, so you can take your pick from beautiful hand-woven fabrics and get new outfits made to measure in super-quick time. Or you can hire bikes and cycle to the golden sands of the nearby beach. This evening’s dinner is also over to you, with a cooking class at Hai Café. Get ready to turn fresh ingredients into three courses of Hoi An specialities, with your expert chef giving you the inside scoop on how to prepare it the local way. After cooking up a storm, you can then enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner with two extra courses specially made for you from a local family’s secret recipes.
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Day 6
Free-wheelin’ in Ho Chi Minh
Trade the genteel charm of Hoi An for its louder sister today as we take a short flight south to Ho Chi Minh. Still widely known as Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city combines old-school soul with rapid globalisation. After checking into our hotel, we’ll dive into the beating soul of the place with a Vespa safari. Jump aboard a fleet of retro bikes and zip through the alleyways, pootling your way between tooting horns to discover elegant, tree-lined avenues and backstreets packed with neon-lit storefronts. This is your chance to see some of Ho Chi Minh’s most lauded sights, including Bình Tây Market, the Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. From towering skyscrapers to the lazy Saigon River and bicycle vendors loaded down with peach blossom, there’s so much to see here and we’ll make a series of food stops, too. Cool off after with a dip in the hotel’s rooftop pool.
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Day 7
Cocktails, beer and city cheer
Today we pay a nod to Vietnam’s war legacy with a visit to the extraordinary Cu Chi Tunnels. We’ll drive two hours’ north to reach the one-time stronghold of the Viet Cong, the military arm of the country’s communist insurgency. Head underground into a labyrinth of tunnels for an insight into how guerilla soldiers lived during one of the foremost conflicts of modern times. Back in Ho Chi Minh, we’ll change tempo with a visit to one of the city’s hottest rooftop bars. See the skyline come alive in an ocean of lights over sunset cocktails before we head to a local restaurant for our farewell meal of delicious Vietnamese grub paired with craft beer. Make one last stop at a hip craft ale hangout; a chance to further relish Vietnam’s booming indie beer scene. As the Vietnamese would say; Một, hai, ba, vô! (1,2,3 cheers), it’s time to party.
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Day 8
Tạm biệt Vietnam, or onwards to Phu Quoc?
The time has come to arrange your transfer to the airport. From the street food delights of Hanoi to sailing and kayaking Halong Bay, what a week it’s been! We’ve stayed overnight on a traditional junk boat and explored the wonders of Thien Canh Son Cave. We’ve cycled a lush green island and cooked up a storm in Hoi An. And we’ve crawled through the tunnels of Cu Chi, rounding things off with craft beer and a Vespa safari in Ho Chi Minh. If you can’t face reality, how about our optional beach extension to Phu Quoc? One of Vietnam’s most picturesque islands is just a short flight away, and you can check into the Green Bay Resort & Spa for two nights of palm-fringed escapism. Kick back on white sands, explore the tropical jungle, or get handy with a paddle-board on the South China Sea before returning home, vitamin D levels fully restored.
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On the map
Important notes
- Fly into Hanoi Airport (HAN) and out of Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN). If you can, arrive before 2pm in time for your welcome meeting (although we would still arrange an airport transfer for you any time you arrive). You can depart anytime at the end of the trip.
- Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.
- We take safety very seriously on Flash Pack adventures, click here to learn more.
