Discover Vietnam
An unforgettable, authentic experience!
Vibrant culture, delectable food, breathtaking landscape and deep and heroic history, Vietnam is an experience not to be missed!
an unforgettable, authentic experienceWith local guides providing an unforgettable, authentic experience, safely explore all that Vietnam has to offer. Ogle at the intense beauties of some of the top-listed World Heritage sites, while discovering Vietnam’s precious hidden treasure: it’s people. Warm and hardworking, you will be enthusiastically welcomed with huge smiles by local people from North to South, and share in their unique culture. Diverse destinations, from world class beaches to majestic mountains, thousands of years of history, and tasty and exquisite cuisine is around every corner. Discovering your favourites — whether steaming pho, crunchy banh mi or smoky bun cha — is itself worth the trip.
Along with Jase who will be with you throughout the entire journey we also have a kiwi who lived in Vietnam for a number of years coming back to show us around and a Vietnamese local tour guide who will be with us throughout. So all bases are covered - All you have to do is book now - Full details below.
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Tour highlights
Itinerary
Home - Ho Chi Minh City
Home (Thursday 9th May)
Depart Whanganui at 4pm and make our way to Palmerston North airport to check in for our 6:45pm flight to Auckland. We’ll transfer over to the International Airport as a group and get set for our night flight over to Ho Chi Minh City touching down mid-morning. Your flight includes meals and entertainment but it might also be a good idea to try and get some sleep if you can contain your excitement for what's ahead.
Departing from another destination
For those departing from another destination you will be given your personalised itinerary for you to join the group today. All tickets and details will be provided in your personal information pack, sent prior to travel.
We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on Friday 10th May at 10am.
Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future.
We cruise around and see some of the city’s top landmarks. Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about Vietnam's history, and walk around the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office before checking into our lovely accommodation for a well deserved rest. Dinner is onsite at the hotel.
Accommodation: EMM Hotel Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saturday 11th May)
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, be ready for a 9am departure to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This system was dug by the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam during the Indochina War and the Vietnam War.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The underground tunnel system was a way for soldiers to move undetected and launch surprise attacks. The tunnel system is about 200 km long and includes a clinic, a kitchen, a storage room and an office and has ventilation systems into the bushes. The tunnels were built on the land known as "steel land", located at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam used this system of tunnels to attack Saigon. When visiting the Cu Chi tunnels, you will learn how Vietnamese guerrillas worked, built, lived and fought in the tunnels, watch precious documentaries about the war and how the Vietnamese army and people won against modern and advanced weapons with only the will of the nation.
Later that evening we’ll head out and explore Ben Thanh Market for shopping and street food. We have a local guide who is with us for the entire journey to ensure we visit all the wonderful highlights of the area before heading to bed for a decent night's sleep.
Da Nang
We have some time to relax this afternoon before heading out to the airport to catch a short flight to Da Nang.
Accommodation: Golden Lotus Hotel Da Nang
Da Nang City
Da Nang City (Sunday 12th May)
We start the day at 9am, where a car and guide will pick us up from our hotel in Da Nang city center, ready for a fun day of exploring ahead.
First stop is the massive Linh Ung Pagoda, situated on Son Tra Peninsula. The sacred temple has a 67m high Buddha statue facing the sea to bless the land here.
We’ll stop for lunch, before visiting Non Nuoc Stone Handicraft Village. Here, we explore a local craft village and watch skilful carvers creating their beautiful sculptures. It’s a perfect spot to buy feng shui stone jewellery as gifts for family and relatives.
After that, we head to Ngu Hanh Son - a famous tourist destination in Da Nang both at home and abroad. Also known as the Marble Mountains, they are home to several Buddhist and Hindu grottoes. A stairway of 156 steps leads to the summit of Thuy Son, the only Marble Mountain accessible to visitors. It allows a wide panoramic view of the surrounding area and the other marble mountains. There are a number of grottoes, including Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, and many Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, the temples of Tam Thai, Tu Tam and Linh Ung, and the pagoda of Pho Dong. The sanctuaries feature statues and relief depictions of religious scenes carved out of the marble. If the climb isn’t for you there are options to simply relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Accommodation: Golden Lotus Hotel Da Nang
Da Nang - Hoi An
Da Nang (Monday 13th May)
This morning after breakfast we make our way to the popular Red Bridge Cooking School, which is situated along the banks of the Thu Bon River, just 3 kms from central Hoi An. This is a must-do activity while we are here in Hoi An.
Hoi An
Highlights include a guided tour of Hoi An’s colourful central market, a relaxing Boat Trip on the Hoi An River, and a hands-on Cooking Class. We then check into our hotel where you can relax or your guides and Jase will take you out to explore some more of the city and have a decent look around. We’ll meet up again for a fabulous group dinner.
Accommodation: Mulberry Collection Silk Eco
Hoi An
Hoi An (Tuesday 14th May)
Today will be a truly memorable day as we mix and mingle with the locals and learn about their innovative ways in which they live in their everyday life. After another lovely breakfast we make our way to Thanh Ha Pottery village. Meet the locals and visit this traditional village and learn and attempt to make some Pottery. There will be a prize for the best and maybe the worst attempts 😀
Water Coconut Forest
It’s then onto the Water Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh village to discover the peaceful coconut forest. We are welcomed warmly by the local people here and enjoy some fun activities at the village such as: Basket Boat Spinning, Catching Crabs, Casting the Fishing net and learning how to Paddle a Basket Boat with the fisherman. Do as much or as little as you like in what is sure to be a fun filled experience with many laughs along the way.
After lunch we visit another Ancient town in the area and discover more about the Vietnamese way of life with our local guide.
Hoi An
Then it's back to our accommodation for some down time or once again you can head out and explore. The choice is yours.
Accommodation: Mulberry Collection Silk Eco
Hoi An - Hue City
Hoi An (Wednesday 15th May)
After breakfast it's time for another special highlight of our tour. We board the train and make our way to Hue City. The Hai Van Pass is between Da Nang and Lang Co and is often listed among the top train journeys in the world.
Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass was built to get around the headland on the coast that forms one side of Da Nang Bay. This mountainous section separates Thua Thien Hue province from Da Nang City. While the Hải Vân Tunnel has shortened the trip for vehicle traffic, the train still follows the same alignment from when it was first built over 100 years ago.
This will be a train trip to remember so make sure you have your camera ready to go!
Hue City
We’ll check into our hotel and again you’ll have time to relax or check out the city with our guides. We can visit Trang Tien Bridge, walk along the Huong River and will enjoy live music while cruising around the Huong River area. Once again if you’d rather just spend time at the hotel that is totally fine.
Accommodation: Emm Hotel Hue
Hue
Hue (Thursday 16th May)
Today, we visit the Hue Citadel and Khai Dinh Tomb. Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam.
The Imperial City of Hue was actually a walled fortress and palace belonging to the ancient city of Hue which was a capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty for 140 years dating back from 1805 until 1945.
The grandeur architecture was planned to be built in 1803 by Gia Long – an emperor who founded the Nguyen Dynasty. During 27 years from 1805 to 1832, the Imperial City of Hue was finally completed under the reign of Minh Mang, making it the most massive structure being built in the history of modern Vietnam involving thousands of workers, millions of cubic meters of rock, and huge volume of burden workload. It is located on the northern bank of Huong River, turning South with a total land area of 520 ha. The place was made UNESCO Site in 1993 with the remained buildings being actively restored and preserved after the destruction from the Vietnam War.
Another really interesting day out with our guides as we continue to immerse ourselves in the history and culture of the area.
Dinner tonight will be on-site at the hotel.
Accommodation: Emm Hotel Hue
Hue - Quan Binh
Hue (Friday 17th May)
After breakfast we hit the road and visit Quang Binh. Special stops and visits include the Holy Land of La Vang (known as the little royal palace) and the historical sites of the Revolution such as: Quang Tri ancient citadel, Doc Mieu Base, Hien Luong bridge and the Ben Hai River... Go to Quang Binh, Check in Phong Nha like House.
Phong Nha
After having lunch at the restaurant. We board a boat and cruise on the Son River to visit Phong Nha cave (Bi Ki cave, Tien cave and Cung Dinh cave). 3 hours boat trip on the Son River to visit Phong Nha cave (Bi Ki cave, Tien cave, Be treated to amazing scenery with self designed houses, churches, limestone mountains covered with evergreen trees and view the herds of water buffalos grazing by the river. When we reach the cave’s mouth the boat’s engine is shut down and we weave our way into the big cave where you can push your imagination to its limit seeing the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and colours that will simply blow your mind!
Quan Binh
We head back and check into our lovely accommodation and get set for another memorable meal together.
Accommodation: Phong Nha Lakehouse Eco Resort
Quan Binh - Hanoi
Quan Binh (Saturday 18th May)
Rise and shine, have breakfast and get set for a magical experience that must be seen while visiting Vietnam.
Rice Fields
We depart the hotel and make our way out to the Rice Fields to explore "eco tourism" Activities available for your here include some pretty unique options such as Riding Buffaloes and Herding Ducks.
In addition to this, we can participate in the Aerial Rope Swing to bathe in the river or swing into the Dark Cave. Kayak to admire the beautiful natural scenery. Or enjoy relaxing moments while immersing ourselves in the natural world such as Mud bath and then finish it all off by enjoying traditional dishes of the local people.
Hanoi
This afternoon we make our way to the airport ready to catch a flight to Hanoi.
Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel and Spa Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi (Sunday 19th May)
After breakfast our day starts with a guided tour to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
We then have a few treats lined up and will experience the Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour and Water Puppet Show
Start the walking tour in the old quarter '36 streets' to visit some famous and specialized food stalls and local restaurants. Watch the food being prepared and taste some popular local dishes.
Later, the guide will bring you to enjoy a Water Puppet show which is a unique variation on the ancient Asia puppet tradition and is a Vietnamese tradition dating back to the 11th century.
After this great day out we’ll rest up for a bit before meeting again for dinner.
Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel and Spa Hanoi
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Hanio (Monday 20th May)
Our tour of Vietnam is beginning to near the end but there's still some really highlights left for our final few days here.
Ha Long
Today we explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We pack our bags and travel to Ha Long. We check in on the 5-star cruise and put our feet up. Once rested, we enjoy a delicious lunch on the cruise, while the boat takes us through the forest of caves and rocky islands in Ha Long.
We visit Sung Sot Cave, the most beautiful and largest cave in Ha Long Bay, named " Grotte des surprises " by the French. We stop at Titop Island for a swim, as well as climb to the top of Titop Island to see Ha Long Bay from above.
We end this magical day, watching the sunset over Ha Long Bay before enjoying dinner on the cruise followed by a free evening to explore.
Accommodation: Onboard 5 Star Cruise Boat
Ha Long Bay - Hanoi
Ha Long (Tuesday 21st May)
If you wish you can wake up early and be treated to a beautiful sunrise. We’ll dine for breakfast before the option of kayaking on Ha Long Bay. We then pack our bags before heading back to Hanoi.
Hanoi
This afternoon you have free time to explore the city, go shopping or simply just soak up the lovely accommodation and rest up for the afternoon. We will head out for our final night together and have a special final together as a group before heading to bed or for those keen we can head out and experience a little bit of the nightlife.
Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel and Spa Hanoi
Hanoi - Home
Hanoi (Wednesday 22nd March)
A relaxed start to the day as we don’t need to check in until mid morning before we catch our 1pm flight home. We have a stop in Kuala Lumpur right around dinner time before boarding again for our final leg home. Once we land in Auckland we transfer over to the Domestic Terminal to catch our flight to Palmerston North. You’ll be home in time for dinner on the 23rd May - Home safe and sound and loving every minute of your unforgettable experience in Vietnam.
Kuala Lumpur
We have a stop in Kuala Lumpur right around dinner time before boarding again for our final leg home.
Home
Once we land in Auckland we transfer over to the Domestic Terminal to catch our flight to Palmerston North. You’ll be home in time for dinner on the 23rd May - Home safe and sound and loving every minute of your unforgettable experience in Vietnam.
Departing from another location
For those departing from another destination you will be given your personalised itinerary for you to join the group today. All tickets and details will be provided in your personal information pack, sent prior to travel.
Photos from the road
Check out what we got up to last time
Optional extras
Optional extras
Meet your tour guide
Jason Granville
After years in the broadcasting industry, Jase hung up his headphones to run Take It Easy Tours. With now over a decade behind the wheel Jason ensures every tour will leave you with a lifetime of memorable expereinces.
Reserve your spot
There is limited availability for this tour. Please contact us to find out more.
Frequently asked questions
How active are your tours?
We are called Take it Easy for a reason as we like to do just that. Do as much or as little as you like - after all it's your holiday! However, there is walking and various activities on each tour that require various levels of fitness. Please check with us if you are unsure about anything and relax knowing that there's always another option for you if you would rather miss out on any activity. We always have a back up plan.
Can you collect me from my door?
Yes, it would be our pleasure. We can arrange for you to be picked up and returned to your front door at the conclusion of any tour.
How about travel insurance?
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. It just puts your mind at ease. Remember to make sure you are covered for and loss of personal possessions, sickness, accidents or travel delays. Feel free to ask us for any tips to make this quick and easy for you.
I have some dietary requirements?
Please just let us know in advance and we will sort everything for you. Chefs are used to all sorts now when it comes to diet so as long as we know - we’ll have you covered.
What happens if I have to cancel?
Cancellation charges do apply so again we recommend travel insurance. Our cancellation policy is clearly outlined for each tour so make sure you cast your eye over it and please feel free to ask any questions.
What types of transport do we use?
Our buses are quality touring coaches that are very comfortable and fully air conditioned. They range in size from 19-28 seats ensuring that we can easily access all those secret spots off the beaten track. All vehicles are regularly serviced as your safety is our priority.
Coaches and luggage trailers are always locked and secure but we recommended you take any valuables with you when staying overnight.
What kind of accommodation do we stay in?
Having a good night's rest after a day out touring is very important so we personally choose all of our accommodation. Generally, four star accommodation when available - with all the comforts you need for a relaxed night.
Can I earn Air New Zealanad airpoints on my flights?
Yes, you can earn airpoints with Take It Easy Tours when we are using Air New Zealand flights. All you need to do is get in contact with us and let us know your airpoints number for each time you wish to earn points.
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