Vietnam: Food, Culture & Coastal Journey
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Start & End: Hanoi, Vietnam → Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Highlights: Food & Culture | Hanoi Street Food | Halong Bay Cruise | Hoi An Culinary Experiences | Hue Heritage | Mekong Delta Immersion
Price: From $2,595* per person based on 4 guests travelling (based on travel between October and December 2026)
Step into Vietnam through its flavours, culture and everyday rhythms.
This Signature Food & Cultural Journey offers a thoughtfully curated introduction to Vietnam, bringing together its defining landscapes, regional cuisines, and cultural traditions.
Begin in Hanoi, where colonial architecture and centuries-old temples sit alongside a vibrant street food scene. Continue to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise among limestone karsts, before travelling south to Hoi An — where culinary traditions and heritage streetscapes shape daily life.
In Hue, explore imperial history and riverside landscapes, before concluding in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, where local communities, waterways and agricultural life offer a deeper connection to the region.
This is a journey designed with balance — combining guided exploration, cultural immersion, and time to experience Vietnam at your own pace.
Itinerary Highlights
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Arrive in Hanoi, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to settle in and begin to take in the rhythm of Vietnam’s capital.
Overnight: Hanoi Pearl Hotel or Rex Hotel, Hanoi or similar
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After breakfast, set out on a guided exploration of Hanoi, a city where French colonial architecture, historic temples and everyday local life sit closely together.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, including the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilts and One Pillar Pagoda, before continuing to the Temple of Literature — one of Vietnam’s most significant cultural landmarks.
Later, experience Hanoi through its food. Walk through the Old Quarter, sampling dishes such as green papaya salad, bun cha and banh mi, before pausing at Hidden Gem Coffee for Hanoi’s signature egg coffee. Continue to Dong Xuan Market, then conclude with a traditional water puppet performance and dinner featuring classic Hanoi dishes.
Overnight: Hanoi Pearl Hotel or Rex Hotel, Hanoi or similar
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Begin early with a local breakfast experience, seeing Hanoi come to life around Hoan Kiem Lake as residents gather for morning exercise and tai chi.
Enjoy traditional pho before returning to your hotel and travelling to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most recognisable natural landscapes.
Board your overnight cruise and spend the afternoon surrounded by limestone karsts, emerald waters, caves and quiet bays.
Overnight: Victory Star, Indochina Sail or Calypso Cruise — Deluxe Ocean View cabin or similar
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Wake to the sound of the bay and enjoy the morning on board, with the option to take part in tai chi or simply relax on deck as the limestone formations shift in the early light.
Return to shore and transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang, before continuing by road to Hoi An.
Overnight: Silkotel Hoi An or Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hoi An or similar
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Enjoy a relaxed morning before setting out on a guided walking and street food tour of Hoi An Ancient Town.
Visit a local family chapel, a Chinese-style pagoda or assembly hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fukien Association Temple, Ceramic Museum and Chua Ong Temple.
This evening, taste some of Hoi An’s best-known dishes, including chicken rice, hoanh thanh, white rose dumplings and cao lau, before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Silkotel Hoi An or Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hoi An or similar
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After breakfast, visit Hoi An’s central market before continuing to Tra Que Vegetable Village.
Walk through the vegetable gardens where local farmers continue to work the land using traditional methods, before joining a hands-on cooking class in a local farmer’s house.
Prepare regional dishes such as Tra Que vegetable salad, tam huu, banh xeo and fresh spring rolls, with the opportunity to try rice paper making before enjoying lunch.
For guests who are not comfortable cycling, a vehicle transfer can be arranged while still allowing participation in the market visit and cooking class.
Overnight: Silkotel Hoi An or Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hoi An or similar
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Travel north to Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass, where mountain, coastline and sea views unfold along one of Vietnam’s most memorable drives.
Arrive in Hue and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Romance Hotel Hue or Moonlight Hotel Hue or similar
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Take a dragon boat journey along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda before continuing to the Royal Mausoleum of Tu Duc Emperor.
Set among forested hills and lakes, the mausoleum offers a quieter insight into Hue’s imperial past. Later, visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945.
There is also time to explore Dong Ba Market and sample local specialities such as bun bo Hue, com hen and Hue sweet soup.
Overnight: Romance Hotel Hue or Moonlight Hotel Hue or similar
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Enjoy time at leisure in Hue before transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Grand Saigon Centre Hotel or Paragon Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City or similar
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Travel to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta, beginning with visits to Cao Dai Temple and Cai Be Cathedral.
Continue through Dong Hoa Hiep and Cai Be before travelling by boat to Tan Phong Islet. Visit Hai Yen Bee Farm, taste fresh honey tea, explore local orchards and experience the waterways by rowing boat.
At Mekong Ecolodge, join a cooking class featuring green papaya salad and khot cake, followed by lunch. Later, explore the village by bicycle, visiting local workshops where banana fibre hammocks, water hyacinth baskets and jackfruit leaf cakes are made.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Grand Saigon Centre Hotel or Paragon Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City or similar
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Today, explore Vietnam’s wartime history with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels.
This underground network played a significant role during the Vietnam War and offers insight into the resilience, resourcefulness and conditions that shaped this period of history.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City, with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Grand Saigon Centre Hotel or Paragon Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City or similar
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Following breakfast, enjoy time at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D), No meals included (–)
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What’s Included
This Signature Food & Cultural Journey includes the essential elements required for a seamless and considered travel experience.
✔ Privately operated journey — travel throughout Vietnam with private transfers and dedicated local English-speaking guides, allowing the journey to feel well-paced and supported throughout. Please note on some occasions for operational reasons, you may join a transfer with other passengers
✔ Accommodation for 11 nights, including:
• 2 nights in Hanoi at Hanoi Pearl Hotel or Rex Hotel
• 1 night aboard Victory Star, Indochina Sail or Calypso Cruise in a Deluxe Ocean View cabin
• 3 nights in Hoi An at Silkotel Hoi An or Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa
• 2 nights in Hue at Romance Hotel Hue or Moonlight Hotel Hue
• 3 nights in Ho Chi Minh City at Muong Thanh Grand Saigon Centre Hotel or Paragon Saigon Hotel
✔ Curated experiences — including Hanoi and Hoi An street food tours, a Halong Bay overnight cruise, Tra Que Village cooking class, Hue imperial sightseeing, Mekong Delta exploration and the Cu Chi Tunnels
✔ Seamless travel arrangements — all transfers, private transport, domestic flights from Hanoi to Danang and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, local boat journeys, entrance fees and sightseeing as specified
✔ Select meals included — daily breakfast, plus selected lunches and dinners as outlined throughout the journey
✔ Time to personalise — optional touring opportunities available throughout the journey at additional cost
Why Choose A Signature Journey By National Travel
⭐ We curate — we do not catalogue
Every Signature Journey is carefully curated and refined by our team. These are not off-the-shelf packages, but thoughtfully designed private journeys for a more considered way of travelling — saving you the time and complexity of planning it alone.
⭐ We work with trusted global partners
Our relationships with leading travel providers and on-ground specialists give you access to exceptional experiences, seamless delivery, and trusted support throughout your journey — with the reassurance that every detail is backed by local expertise.
⭐ We take care of the detail
From accommodation and touring to transfers and beyond, every element is thoughtfully coordinated to ensure your journey flows seamlessly from beginning to end — so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
⭐ Designed to deliver more
Each journey is shaped through our global network and on-ground insight — bringing together thoughtful inclusions, local access and considered experiences that go beyond standard packages.
⭐ A better travelled world
We believe travel should deepen connection — to people, places, and culture. Every journey is designed to leave a lasting impression long after you return home.
Pricing
This Signature Journey is thoughtfully designed as a private, curated experience — shaped around how you prefer to travel, whether independently or shared with those closest to you.
With pricing structured across different group sizes, the journey becomes increasingly rewarding when experienced together — offering greater value alongside a more personalised way to travel.
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OCT–DEC 2026 – $5,523
JAN–APR 2027 – $6,362
MAY–SEP 2027 – $6,362
OCT–DEC 2027 – $6,362 -
OCT–DEC 2026 – $3,201
JAN–APR 2027 – $3,569
MAY–SEP 2027 – $3,569
OCT–DEC 2027 – $3,569 -
OCT–DEC 2026 – On request
JAN–APR 2027 – On request
MAY–SEP 2027 – On request
OCT–DEC 2027 – On request -
OCT–DEC 2026 – $2,595
JAN–APR 2027 – $2,855
MAY–SEP 2027 – $2,855
OCT–DEC 2027 – $2,855
Know Before You Go
This journey operates across multiple departure periods. While the overall structure and inclusions remain consistent, select experiences, hotel allocations and touring arrangements may vary slightly by departure.
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2027 departures include the Cu Chi Tunnels experience in Ho Chi Minh City. Alternative arrangements may apply for some 2026 departures, with all variations selected to maintain the overall quality and intent of the journey.
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Accommodation is based on carefully selected 4★ properties or similar. Final hotel allocation is subject to availability and confirmed at time of booking.
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This journey includes guided walking tours through cities, markets, heritage areas and local villages. Best suited for active travellers who are comfortable with a moderate level of activity.
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Cycling is included at Tra Que Village and Mekong Ecolodge. Vehicle alternatives can be arranged where guests are not comfortable cycling.
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Expect a mix of city streets, markets, heritage precincts, village paths, river environments and some uneven surfaces.
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Vietnam’s climate varies by region and season, with northern, central and southern Vietnam each offering different conditions throughout the year.
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Optional tours and activities may be available at additional cost.
Discover Vietnam with National Travel
Begin planning a journey that brings together food, culture, history and landscape across one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations.
*Pricing is based on configurations as shown. This journey includes accommodation, selected meals, private transfers, domestic flights within Vietnam, local boat journeys, sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary. It does not include international airfares from Australia, additional meals, beverages or services not mentioned, optional tours, expenses of a personal nature, travel insurance, visa fees, tips, or early check-in and late check-out unless specified.
For National Travel full terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.nationaltravel.com.au/terms-and-conditions
Whether travelling as a couple, with friends, or as a private group, this Signature Journey can be tailored to suit your style.
For culinary hosts, cultural interest groups and community leaders, there is also the opportunity to host your own group experience — bringing together like-minded travellers through a journey shaped around food, culture and shared discovery.