From the ancient waterways of the Mekong Delta to the bustling cities of Hanoi & Saigon, this captivating nine-day tour is a great introduction to this unique and vibrant country. Steeped in its rich traditions and history, yet irrevocably shaped by the major ideas and events of the 20th century, all taking place against the backdrop of stunning landscapes and architecture, Vietnam is a traveller’s dream.
This extension includes visits to some of the most iconic and atmospheric sites in Cambodia, including the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, the largest religious monument in the world.
Dinner
On arrival in Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Relax in the afternoon before enjoying a welcome dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive network of underground tunnels spanning 75 miles in length, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Pass through a traditional rice paper-making village before lunch, then start your city tour with a visit to the Reunification Palace. Continue to the Notre Dame Cathedral and travel past the grand French-style Saigon Post Office.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning drive to My Tho, stopping on the way at the Thien Hau Pagoda, an intricately designed temple. On arrival in My Tho, you will board a boat for a cruise down the Mekong River, passing floating markets and local villages. Your boat will dock at Unicorn Island, giving you the chance to visit fruit farms and a coconut sweet workshop where you can sample these local delights. Visit a bee farm to enjoy traditional honey tea, before making your way to Can Tho for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your morning in Can Tho will begin with a gentle trip through the picturesque canals and waterways in a small boat, taking in the sultry scenery and daily activities of the small boat vendors of the floating markets who live along these Mekong canals, as well as stopping at the spectacular Cai Rang floating market - the largest in the entire Mekong Delta. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant you will be transferred to the airport in Can Tho for your flight to Hanoi where you will then have the night to settle in.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your full-day tour of Hanoi begins with the ancient Temple of Literature, then the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. A short drive out of the city centre follows where you can take part in a local Vietnamese cooking demonstration and enjoy your delicious creation for lunch. The afternoon continues with a visit to the Vietnam History museum, and a photo opportunity at the Hanoi Opera House, a beautiful colonial building, then a walking tour of the Old Quarter. In the evening sit back and enjoy a thousand-year-old Water Puppet Show.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This memorable day takes you to the awe-inspiring UNESCO Listed Halong Bay where you will explore these tranquil islands on a luxury cruise boat, passing local towns and intricate limestone formations on the way. Sail to the narrow arched Luon Cave and embark on a kayak or bamboo boat to get closer to this impressive formation which has a maximum height of 4 metres - depending on the tide! After, enjoy some swimming at Ti Top (Titov) beach. Back on board, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail party and a cooking demonstration class before savouring a delicious set dinner in the dining room. Evening activities are available including night time squid fishing. Please note: the Halong Bay cruise itinerary may change depending on the boat used.
Depending on the weather and which beaches can be accessed, there is an opportunity to climb up the side of Titov Mountain and witness an impressive view over Halong Bay. There are roughly 450 steps to reach the top. This is optional and not a guaranteed activity, but if you do wish to do it, then please pack suitable shoes just in case.
Brunch & Dinner
Awake to the rising sun's glistening reflection from the centre of Halong Bay and begin your day with some calming Tai Chi. After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave - one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn't be found anywhere else. Return on board and sail towards Tuan Chau Marina where you will disembark and head back to the capital of Hanoi. Please note: the Halong Bay cruise itinerary may change depending on the boat used.
Breakfast & Dinner
Following breakfast, your morning will be at leisure before your pick-up to the airport for your afternoon flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Breakfast
After breakfast enjoy a free day to explore the city in your own time, or simply relax by the hotel's inviting swimming pool.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, the 12th-century masterpiece famed for its intricate carvings. After breakfast head to Angkor Thom, entering through the Southern Gate lined with 54 stone guardians on each side. Explore the enigmatic faces of Bayon, then continue to Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the grand Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King. After lunch, wander through Ta Prohm, the temple where giant roots coil around ancient stone. End your day back at Angkor Wat to watch the sunset before enjoying dinner and Apsara dance performance.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the stunning Banteay Srei, a 10th-century Hindu temple renowned for its delicate pink sandstone and remarkably detailed carvings. Spend the morning exploring its ornate shrines and learning about its unique place in Khmer history.
In the afternoon, take a scenic boat trip on Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Cruise past floating homes and fish farms as you visit a local village, gaining insight into the daily life and traditions.
Breakfast
Enjoy today at leisure. Use this time to explore the area at your own pace.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
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The warmth of the Vietnamese people was exceptional and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip from start to end. Excellent trip and we would like to go back to Vietnam with Mercury as good value for money. Thank you, we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
Zaitoon Suleiman
18 Jun 24The tour guides made this all a great highlight for us very hard to pick one from another their knowledge was excellent.
Christopher Martin
11 Jun 24Thank you to Mercury for a fabulous holiday! We loved every second of it - does exactly what it says in the brochure and some!! The guides were brilliant (Tian and Ding) and the group we were in made it even more enjoyable! Looking forward to booking something in the future!
Sheona Ford
22 May 23The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required for stays up to 45 days for British Passport holders entering Vietnam. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. Passports must have at least 6 months validity from your date of entry and a minimum of 2 blank pages. However, we strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
Cambodia visa requirements
For land border crossing you will need to purchase a visa for Cambodia which can be purchased on arrival. The cost of this is approximately USD $37 per person, which will need to be paid in cash. Please note that you will need to have at least one completely blank page in your passport for the Cambodian visa to be issued.
You must also fill out an e-arrival card. All travellers must complete and submit online within 7 days prior to arrival. Details should be entered on this link https://arrival.gov.kh/ . Upon successful completion, you'll receive a unique QR code that must be presented at immigration upon arrival.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Impressions of Vietnam is rated as Intermediate. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, getting on and off coaches, boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, known as VND. You can exchange your currency in Vietnam, however, US Dollars are widely accepted in Vietnam should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in local currency. Money can be exchanged at the airport or branches of government banks. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some shops and restaurants.
The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHM). We recommend that you take some US Dollars (USD) with you and exchange this currency whilst you are travelling. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 - £200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory and is at your discretion. However, Should you wish to tip in Vietnam and Cambodia we recommend you tip your guide approx. USD $4 per person per day and your driver approx. USD $2 per person per day. Please note tips on the cruise ships are not included either and would recommend USD $2 per person per day. Additionally, If you want to tip your Bell boy, porter, Boat Crew etc this is up to your discretion.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
This extension tour to Cambodia is semi-escorted. Your guide will meet you at your Hanoi hotel and take to the airport. Day 10 will be at your leisure, whilst day 11 and 12 will be fully accompanied. You will be met by your guide on day 13 to take you to the airport for your return flight to London Heathrow.
Boats
During this tour you will be boarding various vessels. Cabins come with en suite facilities and air conditioning. However room size can be restrictive, If you would like to take a smaller overnight bag on to the ships this can be arranged by leaving your larger luggage on your tour bus overnight at your own risk.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Vietnam. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so to ensure your comfort and well-being, two bottles of drinking water will be provided on touring days.
If you are travelling within the below Vietnamese Public Holidays, please note that celebrations can last several days and during these times some businesses will be closed. Coach, air, and train travel may also be affected. Tourist attractions will generally remain open but may be crowded. In Vietnam, key holidays include Tet Holiday (between January and February), International Labour Day (1st May), Reunification Day (30th April), and National Independence Day (2nd September). During these times, the atmosphere can be lively with various cultural celebrations taking place across both countries.
During visits to Churches/Temples please note both men and women need to wear long trousers or skirts to cover knees, tops with sleeves should be worn to cover shoulders.
On your arrival in Saigon you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Lac Viet (LV) Travel, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury holidays”.
The Mercury holidays/Vietnam Travel Service representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.
Please find below the emergency contact details for LV Travel head office, Hanoi.
Contact Telephone number: Anna Hanh Office: 0084 865 016 939, Mr Len Office: 0084 989 200 116, Emergency cases: 0084 888713289
24 hour e-mail: operation@lvtravel.vn or len@lvtravel.vn
