The nature, history and culture don’t even scratch the surface of the draw that Vietnam has for solo travellers. Especially those in search of a bucket list experience with a Southeast Asian twist! From foodies and beach hoppers, to culture and adventure seekers, Vietnam has something for everyone. Join us on a tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and explore this truly amazing gem of a destination.
Vietnam certainly has its fair share of natural beauty, the most breathtaking of which you’ll find as you cruise through the iconic Halong Bay. Made up of over a thousand limestone peaks, which jut out of the turquoise water like daggers, the bay has become famous for its surreal, otherworldly beauty, which we’ll witness first-hand on our junk boat tour. Then there’s the beaches; this tour ends with a few days at the coastal town of Phan Thiet, where pure white sand and azure shores are commonplace.
Extras
Welcome to incredible Vietnam! Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, we’ll proceed through immigration, collect our luggage and transfer to our hotel in Hanoi for an early check-in.
We’ll have time to get some rest before our tour this afternoon. Vietnam’s cities are known for their chaos, colour and cascading whirl of motorbikes – and a visit will be an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
We start a walking tour through the old quarter of the city where we visit a local house and take our time talking with the hosts and learning about their family’s life and history. Then we embark on a leisurely ride on a rickshaw around Hoan Kiem Lake with a stopover at Ngoc Son Temple nearby.
Today we continue our tour of Hanoi, beginning with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside visit) and his personal residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Museum of Women or Museum of History. Afterwards, we will have a lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, followed by a water puppet show in the early evening.
This morning, we depart for the stunning Halong Bay (3 ½ hour drive), located in the Gulf of Tonkin. Undoubtedly one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations, with over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited.
Soon after arriving in Halong City, we check-in and board a traditional junk boat, with lunch served on board as we cruise towards the bay.
During the course of the afternoon, we can enjoy some visits and activities, or simply relax on board (possibility to swim in the bay if weather permits). Dinner is served on the boat.
After breakfast on board, we can enjoy the fresh morning in the bay, with the cruise ending around 11am.
If time permits, stop at Hai Phong City for a short city tour (Hang Kenh Temple, The Central Market, Hai Phong Museum) before going to Haiphong Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
(Please note: Internal flight baggage allowance is 20Kg)
Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport we will transfer to our hotel in Saigon.
Please note: Breakfast, lunch or brunch will be served on board depending on each junk‘s service.
Today we enjoy a full day exploring the city. We visit the former Presidential Palace, or as it is known today – the Reunification Palace. Then we will head to the historical heart of the city and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside visit only due to its renovation). The red bricks of the cathedral walls were originally from Paris. From there, we take a short walk to the old Central Post Office. After that, we will visit the best-preserved buildings from the colonial era, the Opera House and the Hotel de Ville now home to Saigon’s municipal authorities.
After breakfast we will drive (3 hrs) to Phan Thiet and after we check-in at the hotel we can relax for the rest of the day. We’ll enjoy lunch at the hotel after check-in.
After breakfast, we can relax on the beach, explore the local area, or perhaps join one of the optional day tours. Further details of the day tours can be found in FAQ’s. In the evening, we will join our other Solos guests for dinner at a hotel restaurant.
Unwind at the beach or go sightseeing, before lunch at the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, we spend the day enjoying a final day at the beach, thanks to a late 6pm check-out. We’ll then transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for our flight home.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar)
Frequently Asked Questions
From 15 March 2022 Vietnam has reintroduced visa waivers for the nationals of 13 countries including the UK. Visa waivers allow for visits to Vietnam for up to 15 days without needing to apply for a visa.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months on the date you enter Vietnam.
A number of British nationals have been refused entry and exit due to their passport being damaged. Make sure your passport is in good condition before arriving in Vietnam. Being refused entry can result in significant cost and a long stay at the airport.
When checking into a hotel, you’ll have to hand over your passport so that the hotel can register your presence with the local police. Make sure your passport is returned and keep it in a safe place.
The transfer time from Hanoi International Airport to your hotel in Hanoi is approximately 50 minutes, depending on the traffic. The transfer time from hotel in Phanthiet to Ho Chi Minh International Airport is approximately 4 hours, depending on the traffic.
Currency
Vietnamese dong
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of £50.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
The emphasis is on casual clothing for throughout. Go for light, loose cotton clothing and comfortable shoes or walking boots. Conservative dress is preferred for both men and women. No shorts or vest tops in restaurants. When visiting temples and certain museums dress politely; shorts, singlets, spaghetti straps, skirts, tank-tops and open backed sandals are not acceptable. The dress code would be same for men and women, that is shoulders and legs covered, no hats, and shoes to be taken off.
A sightseeing programme is included in your touring package.
Please note:- Optional excursions are not guaranteed and are based on minimum numbers. The prices quoted are guideline only and may involve other non-Solos holidaymakers.
During your leisure beach stay you will have opportunity to join following optional excursions:
| OPTION 1: PHAN THIET – WALKING BEYOND THE FAIRY STREAM & WHITE SAND DUNNE – HALFDAY
Pick up at your hotel, heading to the Fairly Stream. It is breath-taking and simply beautiful. Prepare yourself since you will have to walk around and the weather is relatively hot, however, the feeling of warm shallow water streaming between your toes is just great. Continue the visit at local Fishing Village to learn more about the farm and their working. On your way back, visit the White Sand Dunes, which is among the top attractions at Mui Ne after the beach itself. The best time to visit is at sunrise and sunset when you can fully enjoy the beauty of this attraction. The sand at this moment will be in its full pink or light red splendour. Transfer back to your hotel. Note: Riding on sand dune by jeep is excluded and can be booked as extra services on spot if you wish. |
| OPTION 2: PHAN THIET– SIGHTSEEING AND TA CU MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE – HALF DAY
Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Ta Cu Mountain where you will enjoy a cable car ride to the peak of the mountain. Visit Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and admire the panoramic view of the enchanting forest and magnificent mountainous scenery around. Continue on to Takou temple lying one of the biggest Buddha statues in the region. On the way back to your hotel, stop at a local dragon fruit’s farm and learn more about the cultivating process of this beautiful tropical fruit. After that, visit Poshanu Cham Tower built during the old Champa Kingdom and now remained as the worship place of the Cham minority in Mui Ne; and Van Thuy Tu temple, which is famous for the whale skeleton of 22 meter in length and 65 tons in weight – the largest fishbone in Vietnam and South East Asia. The final stop will be a sand painting workshop. It displays a collection of art works made from sands in different themes. Transfer back to your hotel |
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| March | 26 °C | 20 °C |
| November | 26 °C | 23 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
