Exploring the highlights of Central and Southern Vietnam - Begin your tailor made holiday to Vietnam by exploring the old capital of Hue before the scenic drive to the beautiful UNESCO Protected town of Hoi An. Fly to the the alpine-like hill town of Dalat in the Southern highlands before some time exploring the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Finally enjoy some rest and recuperation at the the glorious Fusion Phu Quoc. Southern Vietnam Explorer is a fantastic tour for the months of January through to April when the north of Vietnam is often quite cool and drizzly.

Southern Vietnam Explorer - Tour highlights

• Explore the Imperial Citadel of Hue

• Enjoy a walking tour of historic Hoi An

• Cool off at the hill town of Dalat and explore the old palaces and train station

• Ride pillion through the nighttime streets of Saigon on a Vespa scooter

• Relax on the white sands of Fusion Phu Quoc

Suggested Itinerary- we will customise this for you

Day 1 - Hué arrival

Upon arrival to Hue your clients are warmly welcomed by their local guide and driver. Transfer to their hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel.

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort and Spa

Pilgrimage Village boutique resort & spa is located in the countryside, just 15 minutes from the centre of Hue. Pilgrimage Village offers a rustic village setting surrounded by lush tranquil gardens, harmonizing the soothing natural environment with touches of local art and culture. The resort features 173 rooms with a wide variety of room categories from superior rooms up to four bedroom pool villas, accommodating honeymooners, couples and families alike. After a hot day sightseeing, guests can enjoy two swimming pools or indulge in Tai Chi, Yoga or a spa treatment. Gastronomy is well catered for with the choice of two restaurants, two bars, a cafe and a lounge.

Meals: None

Day 2 - Hué

Hue was the capital of the country under the Nguyen Dynasty and is still considered to be the cultural capital of Vietnam. In the morning, firstly your client's guide will show them the majestic Imperial Citadel of Hue, built in 1804 and located along the Perfume River.

Later on visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful sites of Hue. Built during the emperor's lifetime in a narrow valley about 8 kilometres from the centre of Hue, the tomb is a model of traditional Vietnamese art and architecture.

Finally, around midday, head to the Thuy Bieu village, a quiet area located on the bank of the Huong River. Enjoy an authentic local lunch at Hue Inn Side Out. Return to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hue.

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort and Spa

Pilgrimage Village boutique resort & spa is located in the countryside, just 15 minutes from the centre of Hue. Pilgrimage Village offers a rustic village setting surrounded by lush tranquil gardens, harmonizing the soothing natural environment with touches of local art and culture. The resort features 173 rooms with a wide variety of room categories from superior rooms up to four bedroom pool villas, accommodating honeymooners, couples and families alike. After a hot day sightseeing, guests can enjoy two swimming pools or indulge in Tai Chi, Yoga or a spa treatment. Gastronomy is well catered for with the choice of two restaurants, two bars, a cafe and a lounge.

Meals: Breakfast

Imperial Citadel, Hue.

Day 3 - Hué - Hoi An

This morning enjoy the scenic 3 1/2 hour drive over the spectacular Hai Van pass to Hoi An. En route stop to admire the spectacular views (weather permitting) and  the quaint beach-side village of Lang Co. If time permits, your clients can visit the Cham Museum in Danang which will help to give them a perspective on some of the historical points of interest that they have seen in Hue. Upon arrival in Hoi An check into the hotel. Afternoon is at leisure.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Just a short walk from Hoi An’s historic old town, La Siesta Hoi An is an oasis of tranquility located on the outskirts of Hoi An next to verdant rice fields. The club wing features 37 suites within terraced townhouses, the architecture inspired by historic Hoi An houses in the old quarter. Suites surround a generous sized pool and colourful tropical gardens. The classic wing offers 70 rooms within a more contemporary building surrounding a relaxing pool area. Rooms are adorned with furniture and local artwork that reflect the culture of central Vietnam. Food lovers have a choice of traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Red Bean or international fusion at The Temple. La Siesta Hoi An also features a leading spa and garden villa fitness suite.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Hoi An

Hoi An is a highlight for many guests on their tailor made holidays to Vietnam. Hoi An was once one of the major trading ports in Asia and much of it's charming architecture has remained. This morning your clients enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre with their local guide. Visit the former merchant's houses, the 400 year old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful market with it's stalls brimming with tropical fruits and vegetables. In the afternoon clients enjoy a boat trip on the Boung River. Overnight Hoi An.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Just a short walk from Hoi An’s historic old town, La Siesta Hoi An is an oasis of tranquility located on the outskirts of Hoi An next to verdant rice fields. The club wing features 37 suites within terraced townhouses, the architecture inspired by historic Hoi An houses in the old quarter. Suites surround a generous sized pool and colourful tropical gardens. The classic wing offers 70 rooms within a more contemporary building surrounding a relaxing pool area. Rooms are adorned with furniture and local artwork that reflect the culture of central Vietnam. Food lovers have a choice of traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Red Bean or international fusion at The Temple. La Siesta Hoi An also features a leading spa and garden villa fitness suite.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Hoi An

Full day free to enjoy this lovely riverside town or to visit the beach a few kilometres away. Asia Travel Specialist offers fully tailor made holidays to Vietnam and so if your clients would like some suggestions of alternative activities today, get in touch with your specialist. Perhaps consider a cooking experience at Tra Que Vegetable Village or a day trip to My Son Sanctuary to learn more about the Cham Kingdom.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Just a short walk from Hoi An’s historic old town, La Siesta Hoi An is an oasis of tranquility located on the outskirts of Hoi An next to verdant rice fields. The club wing features 37 suites within terraced townhouses, the architecture inspired by historic Hoi An houses in the old quarter. Suites surround a generous sized pool and colourful tropical gardens. The classic wing offers 70 rooms within a more contemporary building surrounding a relaxing pool area. Rooms are adorned with furniture and local artwork that reflect the culture of central Vietnam. Food lovers have a choice of traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Red Bean or international fusion at The Temple. La Siesta Hoi An also features a leading spa and garden villa fitness suite.

Meals: Breakfast

Hoi An

Day 6 - Hoi An ~ Dalat

This morning transfer approximately one hour to Danang airport.

Domestic flight one hour to Dalat airport.

Established as a hill station at the beginning of the century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests. Your clients take a short sightseeing tour of the city, stopping to see the Truc Lam pagoda, the old Dalat Railway Station, and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where a Buddhist monk, Vien Thuc, produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry.

Ana Villas Dalat

Ana Villas Dalat is a french colonial village resort dating from the 1920s and located close to the Art Deco hill town of Dalat. Cobblestone roads and manicured gardens surround the 17 villas that accommodate 81 characterful rooms and suites. The resort boasts a swimming pool that is a welcome amenity during the warmer months. Le Petit restaurant serves afternoon tea as well as mouthwatering French and Vietnamese cuisine in the setting of a french colonial villa. La Cochinchine Spa ‘s treatments are inspired by traditional Vietnamese, French and Cham influences.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Dalat

In the morning explore the lively market then spend the day discovering environs of Dalat. There are several former palaces of the last emperor, Bao Dai, some of which are open to the public to view, still featuring the 1950's Formica furniture and linoleum floors. Overnight in Dalat.

Ana Villas Dalat

Ana Villas Dalat is a french colonial village resort dating from the 1920s and located close to the Art Deco hill town of Dalat. Cobblestone roads and manicured gardens surround the 17 villas that accommodate 81 characterful rooms and suites. The resort boasts a swimming pool that is a welcome amenity during the warmer months. Le Petit restaurant serves afternoon tea as well as mouthwatering French and Vietnamese cuisine in the setting of a french colonial villa. La Cochinchine Spa ‘s treatments are inspired by traditional Vietnamese, French and Cham influences.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Dalat

Full day free to explore. Clients may consider hiring bicycles to peddle around the little hill roads. Overnight in Dalat.

Ana Villas Dalat

Ana Villas Dalat is a french colonial village resort dating from the 1920s and located close to the Art Deco hill town of Dalat. Cobblestone roads and manicured gardens surround the 17 villas that accommodate 81 characterful rooms and suites. The resort boasts a swimming pool that is a welcome amenity during the warmer months. Le Petit restaurant serves afternoon tea as well as mouthwatering French and Vietnamese cuisine in the setting of a french colonial villa. La Cochinchine Spa ‘s treatments are inspired by traditional Vietnamese, French and Cham influences.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Dalat ~ Saigon

This morning your clients will be transferred to the airport for their domestic flight, one hour to Saigon airport.

Upon arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), your client's driver and guide will meet and transfer them to the hotel for check-in.

Evening VESPA tour (private)

Explore Saigon at night on the back of a Vespa with a real local expert. Tonight, witness the diversity of this vibrant city. Starting from the hotel, we dive into the chaotic traffic of Saigon and travel through District 1 via hidden shortcuts and pass Ben Thanh Market. Sizzling cake restaurant is very famous and so this is the first stop. Also known as Vietnamese Pancakes (Southern style) your client's will learn how to make the best roll!

Hop back on the scooters and ride through the crisscross back alleys of District 4.  Pass lots of food stall areas which are well known with locals as “Street food heaven”. Despite the small size of the road, hundreds of local food stalls and carts sell side by side with all varieties of street food.

The next stop is to taste delicate yet trendy seafood such as steamed clams with lemongrass, deep fried frogs with lemongrass and grilled mussels with green onion oil and peanut. Vegetarian options include steamed tofu with mushroom and stir-fried noodle with vegetables. Finally we drive to a riverside park near Bach Dang Pier for an awesome view of District 1 at night.

Later we ride to a hidden coffee shop on a quiet street. Listen to romantic melodies performed by a Vietnamese singer with a beautiful voice. Finally, before heading back to the hotel, we travel up top of one of highest buildings in Saigon. Grab a wine or a beer, enjoy the music and watch the traffic flow around you below. Sit back enjoy the view and reflect on the ride! This night time adventure is often a highlight for our guests on their tailor made holiday to Vietnam.

Overnight in Saigon.

Myst Dong Khoi

Just a few steps from the Saigon River and colonial landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City is the fabulous Myst Dong Khoi. Spacious and airy open-plan rooms exude the character of neigbourhood shop houses through art work, teak carvings, ceramic drums and wrought iron rails. All rooms feature stone bathtubs and some feature private balconies with hanging gardens and city views. Luxurious suites boast river views and outdoor bathtubs. The literal cherry on the top is the leafy rooftop pool and bar providing a relaxing space with panoramic views of the Saigon River. Myst Dong Khoi also features a trendy restaurant, cafe, spa and fitness centre.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon

Day 10 - Saigon: Cu Chi Tunnels

This morning enjoy a  boat trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Embark on the speed boat from Ho Chi Minh City’s pier. Note the boat is not private and shared with other tourists. Your client's English-speaking guide will introduce them to life along the banks of the Saigon River as their boat gracefully slips through knots of floating water hyacinths on this scenic one-hour boat trip.

A traditional Vietnamese lunch of local specialties like lemongrass chicken and caramelized clay pot pork will be served on arrival to the tunnels. After a short documentary, your client's guide will lead them through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels.  The tunnels were dug by resourceful guerrilla fighters to provide communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters during numerous conflicts.

Return to the hotel, afternoon is free at leisure.

Overnight in Saigon.

Myst Dong Khoi

Just a few steps from the Saigon River and colonial landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City is the fabulous Myst Dong Khoi. Spacious and airy open-plan rooms exude the character of neigbourhood shop houses through art work, teak carvings, ceramic drums and wrought iron rails. All rooms feature stone bathtubs and some feature private balconies with hanging gardens and city views. Luxurious suites boast river views and outdoor bathtubs. The literal cherry on the top is the leafy rooftop pool and bar providing a relaxing space with panoramic views of the Saigon River. Myst Dong Khoi also features a trendy restaurant, cafe, spa and fitness centre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 - Saigon - Phu Quoc Island

This morning your clients will be transferred to the airport for their domestic flight one hour to Phu Quoc Island.

Upon arrival a hotel representative will meet and transfer your clients to their resort.

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc is a spa-inclusive luxury beach resort that enjoys fabulous sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand. Exclusively a pool villa resort, guests can choose from 135 villas ranging from one bedroom up to five bedrooms. ‘Fusionistas’ are on hand to personalise your experience and ensure your every whim and desire is catered for. In order to further enhance the serene experience of a stay at Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, breakfast can be taken anytime anywhere and two spa treatments are included per day for each guest at the 27 room Maia Spa. For guests who manage to tear themselves away from their luxurious and homely pool villa, the beachfront features a stunning swimming pool with views over one of the best beaches in Vietnam. Fusion Resort Phu Quoc also features two restaurants, in villa dining, destination dining, two bars and a kids club.

Meals: Breakfast

Days 12 & 13 - Phu Quoc Island

Free days to relax enjoy the resort and beautiful beach. The perfect way to end your client's tailor made holiday to Vietnam.

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc is a spa-inclusive luxury beach resort that enjoys fabulous sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand. Exclusively a pool villa resort, guests can choose from 135 villas ranging from one bedroom up to five bedrooms. ‘Fusionistas’ are on hand to personalise your experience and ensure your every whim and desire is catered for. In order to further enhance the serene experience of a stay at Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, breakfast can be taken anytime anywhere and two spa treatments are included per day for each guest at the 27 room Maia Spa. For guests who manage to tear themselves away from their luxurious and homely pool villa, the beachfront features a stunning swimming pool with views over one of the best beaches in Vietnam. Fusion Resort Phu Quoc also features two restaurants, in villa dining, destination dining, two bars and a kids club.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 - Phu Quoc Island - Saigon - Departure

This morning your clients will be transferred to the airport for their domestic flight one hour to Saigon airport.

Collect luggage and check into the client's international flight home.

Meals: Breakfast