Vietnam

7 Jun 2025 – 6 Jul 2025 · by taleta

Destinations

Hanoi, Vietnam

- Cover knees and shoulders when visiting temples take sarong - A21 Tours for all transportation and airport transfers across Vietnam - Xanh SM. Electric taxi service in Vietnam cheaper than Grab. - Michelin star restaurant Tam Vi -Hidden Gem cafe, special coconut and condensed milk coffee -King Roti sweet buns -Tourist restaurant Mia restaurant - che 4 mua desert place with balcony and view -Banh Mi 25 best sandwiches in Hanoi + Banh Mi Queen -Cafe Giang famous egg coffee - Best Vietnamese crispy crepe- recognised by Michelin star: 📍Mr Bay Mien Tay: 79 Hàng Điếu, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội - firefly restaurant highly recommended 7th June: arrive 7.40pm (3 full days) 8th June Day 2: 1. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (both are located right next to each other). 2. Explore the Old Quarter. 3. visit the French Quarter. Evening: Watch the Water Puppet Show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, near Hoan Kiem Lake. 9th June Day 3: 1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex first closes at 11am (it includes the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda). These sites are all located within walking distance of each other. 2. Visit temple of literature (10 mins away) 3. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda 10th June Day 4: 1. Explore the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and the Flag Tower, which are both located in the central Hanoi area. 2. Visit Train Street, passes 3.30pm & 7.30pm. Dong Xuan Market and Hoa Lo prison tour optional.
Sapa Train, Vietnam
Sa Pa, Vietnam

(4 full days) Book x2 tours- Ethos Spirit of the Community on a weekend. Do touristy things eg fansipan and cat cat village before weekend as less busy. Ethos Spirit Tours: Binh Lu- Tam Duong Taste of Muong Hoa Rice Terraces and Waterfalls Day 1: Wednesday 1. Explore Sapa town and head to Cat Cat Village (9 min car). 2. Visit Ham Rong Mountain (10 mins car from cat cat village) 3. Ride the Ban Mong alpine coaster Day 2: Thursday 1. Take the Fansipan Cable Car (6 mins drive from hotel) to the summit. 2. Drive route 2. Head to Silver & Love Waterfall (28mins drive from cable car) Love is better than Silver. 3. Visit the nearby Glass Bridge (12 min drive from silver waterfall) Day 3: Friday 1. Route 1 Moung Hoa Valley motorbike route Day 4: Saturday Moana Sapa (8 min drive from hotel) If time permits, consider visiting Bac Ha Market (if you’re staying a bit longer) or take another brief visit to a local spot like Tram Ton Pass for great views of the surrounding areas. Evening: Head to train station. Missed: Hiking Ham rong mountain Alpine coaster Glass bridge
Sapa Train, Vietnam
Hạ Long, Vietnam
Ninh Bình, Vietnam

(3 full days) Trang An boat tour do routes #1 and #3 book whole boat approx $70NZD. Arrive 3.30-4pm 17th depart 9pm 20th 18th Day 1: 1. Mua Cave and Hang Mua Viewpoint. 2. Bich Dong Pagoda (15min drive) 3. Trang An boat sunset tour route #3 at 3.30pm sunset at 6.30pm 19th Day 2: 1. Trang An Boat morning tour route #1 - 3 hrs arrive 7-8am 2. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital at night all lit up pretty 3. Dinh Bai Pagoda 4. Thai Vai Temple 20th Day 3: 1. Cuc Phuong National Park and primate centre 45min drive (if time) AND/OR 2. Tam Coc Boat Ride (2 hours):
Phong Nha, Vietnam

(3 full days) Arrive 6am 21st depart 10am 24th Day 1: Phong Nha + Tien Son Caves & bong lai bike loop 1. Phong Nha Cave + Tien Son Caves (2.5-3 hrs) accessible via boat 2. Explore Phong Nha village and botanical garden 3. Go for a scooter tour around bong lai valley or go the next day. Leave from home stay Day 2: Paradise Cave 1. Paradise Cave: After breakfast, head to Paradise Cave, which is about a 40-minute drive from the town center. Known for its vast and stunning formations, this cave is often considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam. You’ll need to walk a bit up a hill before descending into the cave, but it’s not a challenging hike. Time Required: ~1.5 hours for the 1km cave exploration. Day 3: Hava Valley water park 1. Hava Valley water park inside phong nha ke bang national park. A water park with longest water Zipline. Swimming and kayaking.
Hue, Vietnam

Arrive 1pm 24th depart 2pm 26th check out 12pm Fastfood22 highly recommended family run restaurant. Find address (grab doesn’t recognise by name) Lap Dinh Dong runs a fabulous little bistro style restaurant in the Old Quarter...(clean safe food) (1 full day) April 24 (Arrival Day) • Thien Mu Pagoda (15 min from city center) • Dong Ba Market (10 min from Thien Mu Pagoda) • Perfume River Sunset Cruise (nearby, 5 min walk) • Enjoy a scenic dragon boat ride at sunset. Day 2: Morning: Tombs 1️⃣ Minh Mang Tomb (8:00 – 9:00 AM) 🌿 The largest and most scenic tomb, so start fresh here. 2️⃣ Khai Dinh Tomb (9:30 – 10:15 AM) 🏛️ Shortest visit because it’s a compact, vertical structure. 3️⃣ Tu Duc Tomb (10:45 – 11:45 AM) 🌸 More relaxed walk through the peaceful garden setting. 🚗 12:00 PM: Drive back to Hue city. 🍜 12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch break Fastfood22. (22 Trần Huy Liệu, Phú Hoà, Huế). 🏛️ Afternoon: Imperial City 1.30PM - 4.30 PM: Explore Imperial City (10 min from FastFood 22) • Explore the Nguyen Dynasty palaces, Forbidden Purple City, and Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities. OR THIS PLAN: Day 1: Historical and Cultural Sites Morning: Imperial City (The Citadel) Start your day with a visit to the Imperial City (also known as the Citadel). It’s the most famous and historically significant site in Hue. What to do: Explore the royal grounds, Nguyen Dynasty palaces, courtyards, and gates. Don’t miss the Forbidden Purple City and the Royal Ancestral Temple. Visit Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities Time: Spend around 2-3 hours here. Lunch: Find a local café or restaurant near the Citadel for a light lunch. Afternoon: Dong Ba Market After lunch, head to Dong Ba Market, located just 5-10 minutes from the Citadel. What to do: Wander around the market to experience Hue's local culture. It’s a great spot for shopping for local handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional snacks like banh beo (steamed rice cakes) and bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodle soup). Time: Spend 1-1.5 hours here. Evening: Relax by the Perfume River Take a leisurely walk along the Perfume River, which is right next to the Citadel and Dong Ba Market. You can enjoy the scenic views or take a boat ride to watch the sunset over the river. Time: Spend 1 hour walking or cruising along the river. Day 2: Pagoda and 3 Tombs Morning: Thien Mu Pagoda Start your day early with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most iconic landmarks. Located just 5 km from the Imperial City, it’s a serene spot with scenic views of the Perfume River. What to do: Explore the pagoda’s beautiful gardens, towers, and temples. The seven-story tower is a must-see. Time: Spend 1-1.5 hours here. Late Morning: Ming Mang Mausoleum After visiting Thien Mu, head to the Ming Mang Mausoleum, located about 10-15 minutes by car from the pagoda. What to do: This mausoleum is known for its tranquil setting and traditional Vietnamese architecture, with a series of pavilions, temples, and gardens. The site is less crowded than other mausoleums, offering a peaceful visit. Time: Spend around 1 hour here. Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or café near the mausoleum or en route. Afternoon: Khai Dinh Tomb After lunch, head to Khai Dinh Tomb, located about 10-15 km from Hue’s city center. This tomb is famous for its unique architectural blend of traditional Vietnamese and European styles. What to do: Admire the ornate statues, intricate mosaics, and breathtaking views from the tomb. Time: Spend around 1 hour here. Evening: Evening at the Perfume River After a day of sightseeing, head back to the Perfume River for an evening walk or dinner at a riverside restaurant, soaking in the view of the city lights and the Trang Tien Bridge. Optional: Take a traditional boat ride for a relaxing evening experience.
Da Nang, Vietnam

Arrive 3.35pm 26th depart 29th June 3 full days - 28th Saturday Danang international fireworks show Korea vs Italy - Loving Vegan restaurant Danang 26th Arrival - My Khe beach 27th day 1: 1. Ba Na Hills 7am (about 45 minutes from Da Nang). The earlier you arrive, the less crowded it will be. 2. Dragon bridge fire show starts 9pm get there by 8.45pm and walk Han river bridge. Book cruise instead. Very busy on bridge. 28th day 2: 1. Marble Mountains go early to avoid heat lots of stairs. Head to Non Nuoc Beach (foothill of marble mountains) if time for quick visit. 2. Danang international fireworks show. 29th Day 3: 1. Swim then Lady Buddha 3. Grab to Hoi An
Hội An, Vietnam

Book Cham islands day trip Vin Wonders Waterpark Hoi An Morning Glory cafe highly recommended (4 full days) Half Sun half Thursday Day 1: Explore Hoi An Ancient Town & watch Hoi An Memories show 1. Hoi An Ancient Town 2. Hoi An memories show Day 2: Cycle to An Bang Beach and herb garden Morning: After breakfast, take a bike ride (about 10-15 minutes) to An Bang Beach. Afternoon: After lunch, take a leisurely 15-minute bike ride to Tra Que Herb Village. Day 3: Cultural & Natural Attractions 1. My Son Sanctuary: Start early and take a taxi to My Son (about 30 km from Hoi An). Afternoon: If you prefer nature, you can visit Cua Dai Beach for a more tranquil experience than An Bang, or take a short bike ride around the countryside, cycling past rice fields and small villages. Day 4: Cham Islands Day Trip 1. Cham Islands (about 30 minutes by boat from Cua Dai Beach). Most tours will include a visit to several islands, where you can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and exploring pristine beaches. Tours typically depart around 8:00 AM and return by late afternoon.
Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam

(2 full days) Arrive 6.45pm 3rd July check out 6th July Best authentic Vietnamese restaurant: DH Phở Bò Nhà Gà Ri Visit Marina beach. Private swimmable beach has cafes and nice hang out. 10 mins drive north of hotel. Day 1: Vin pearl on Friday least busy. Vin pearl park $64pp go 20-30mins before 8am so don’t need to queue. Waterpark Open: 9-5.30pm main park 8am-8pm. Day 2: Beaches and temples 1- Quick visit PoNagar Temple 3- Visit Nha Trang Beach 4- Spend day at marina beach Consider a night market visit for some light shopping or street food tasting.