Vietnam Experience Reunion 35 to 45
Experience Overview
Looking for a tour of Vietnam that does everything but compromise? This 12-day Vietnam itinerary takes you through Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Hanoi & Halong Bay with a legendary bunch of 35-45s. There’s plenty of action to help you immerse yourself into this enchanting culture. Picture yourself relishing the rice region of Mekong Delta by taking in the lush green scenery, stopping in exciting iconic hot spots, and popular local foodie haunts for a true Vietnam travel experience.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- Danang: What is the best time to visit Vietnam? Vietnam is wonderful to visit year-round. But the best time to visit depends on what you wanna do, and where in Vietnam you wanna go.Generally, April & May are thought to be the best months to visit Vietnam because of the beautifully bright weather. Between December and March is a slightly cooler period. So if hiking, or city-dwelling is what you want, that’s the best time to visit. And if you wanna avoid the crowds, off-season tends to be between April and June or September to November.
- Danang: What is the currency used in Vietnam? The currency used in Vietnam (that can buy you a wholesome, delicious bowl of Pho) is the Vietnamese dong (₫).
- Danang: What is the local food like in Vietnam? Planning to visit Vietnam to taste all the wholesome flavours? Aren’t we all?You’ll find plenty of street food stop-offs, serving up freshly made gems including rice, noodle and battered pancake-based dishes, plus the world-famous Pho. Pork is a common feature of Vietnamese cuisine. Generally, Vietnamese food isn’t too spicy (except if your dish has fresh chillies in it!) Oh, and the best thing about the food here? It’s very very cheap.
- Danang: How much money should I budget for on this trip? When you travel with Contiki, your accommodation, in-country transport and breakfasts are all included with the cost of your trip. So when it comes to budgeting, you only need to worry about your shopping! Luckily, Vietnam is heralded as an extremely affordable tourist destination too. As a rough guide, you should easily get by on US $50-80 a day.
- Danang: What should I wear in Vietnam? We’ll be visiting some traditional tourist hotspots - so don’t forget to keep your shoulders covered (it's customary in Vietnam, and will probably be insisted). For all that beach exploration, it’s generally acceptable for tourists to dress in the swimwear of their choice.Vietnam tends to get very hot & humid, so make sure you pack lots of loose-fitting clothes made from a lightweight and breathable material. Big up the baggy shirts!
- Danang: What is the etiquette for tipping in Vietnam? Tipping is pretty common in Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Usually you’ll pay 10% of the total bill, which will amount to roughly $1-5.
- Danang: Where multiple optionals are offered in one day, can I do them all or do I have to pick just one? On some days, the Free Time Add-Ons will be during different times. So you’ll be able to do them all! But on some days, you might have to pick just one. Don’t worry, your Trip Manager will do their best to manage all of this for you, and will be able to give you all the details you might need.
- Danang: What are the luggage restrictions? You can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs) – plus one piece of hand luggage suitable as a carry-on for flights. Since our trips have included flights, your luggage needs to meet the weight & security restrictions imposed by airlines. On this trip, it’s necessary to use an overnight bag on the occasional nights when it’s not possible to access your luggage (overnight trips to Special Stays). It’s a good idea to bring an overnight bag, or hand luggage that’s big enough to double up as an overnighter when needed.
- Danang: Do we visit the Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang? Currently, the Golden Hands Bridge isn’t included on our itinerary. But that means, you get a free day to explore Hoi An - which you REALLY don’t wanna miss out on.The Bridge is part of a theme park called ‘Sun World Ba Na Hills’ and is about a 2-hour drive away from where we stay in Hoi An (and tends to be incredibly crowded!). But if you really wanna visit the bridge, you can always ask your Trip Manager who’ll sort it out for you!
Included Experience
- Mekong River Delta: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.
- Mekong River Delta: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace.
- Ho Chi Minh City: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Passports at the ready folks.
- Hoi An: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro!
- Da Nang: Next stop, Hanoi. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time.
- Hanoi: Gorge on a delicious, high-quality meal crafted by trainees looking to fine-tune their hospitality skills. The KOTO Community provides guidance, training and career prospects to the underprivileged young people of Vietnam.
- Hanoi: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’.
- Hanoi: Take a look at the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. This is where he, along with his party, declared the independence of Vietnam.
- Ninh Binh: Cool tropical breeze. Lush-green landscapes. And an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the shimmery silhouette.
- Halong Bay: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes
- Halong Bay: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course!
- Halong Bay: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?
Trip Details
Product Code: 17030
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 642.2201A
Starts: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finishes: Hanoi, Vietnam
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,839 ($237 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia's most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. Your big Contiki reunion will kick off this evening, when you'll meet your travel crew of delighted 35-45s and explore the city. Is this the right way to get the perfect Vietnam trip started? Oh yes it is!
Accommodation: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam. Our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river's fringes can vary. We'll visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam's famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local homestay.
Accommodation: Bay Thoi Homestay (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam's staggering past. Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam's biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam's culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).
Accommodation: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
With some traditional R'n'R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We'll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea. Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life - this is Nha Trang. Tonight is yours to take to the streets and explore.
Accommodation: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience. Tonight, we'll head north via our comfy overnight train - where you'll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Meals: Breakfast
Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, you'll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
Accommodation: Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.
Accommodation: Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang… Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town. Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens! We bet you’re starving from all that travel. That’s why we’ll head straight to the KOTO restaurant - a unique dining experience that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. And with our tummies happy and full, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature (AKA Vietnam’s first-ever university.) But the sight-seeing doesn’t end there. It’s time to make our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to a Vietnamese revolutionary leader. In the evening, you’re free to explore the capital however you like.
Accommodation: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam's show-stopping natural beauty. Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnam’s legendary army jeep and let’s get going. Spend the afternoon cherishing the crisp air and greenery. And if you love bird-watching, make sure to have your binoculars ready at all times.
Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one). A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wow's', but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.
Accommodation: Junk Boat (Special Stay)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don't get much better than this. After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.
Accommodation: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out & make plans to reunite sometimes soon - Latin America perhaps?
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Sean Marr - Traveled, October 2024
Incredible adventure - best trip I've ever done. Made fantastic memories with new-found lifelong friends. Special thanks to Aya who did a truly incredible job and was crucial to making the experience so special!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
An amazing with amazing people! It is a very busy trip but plenty of chance to catch up on sleep on those bus journeys. The overnight train was.. an experience to say the least! Some amazing hotels and some not so good ones (Hanoi) but that's the joy of travelling. The highlights were the homestay on the Mekong Delta and our overnight stay on Ha Long Bay. If I could change the itinerary, I would remove Nha Trang and have an extra night in Hoi An to do more shopping and relaxing in cafes. I miss Vietnam and the contiki fam! If you are thinking about booking this trip, go for it! I booked my trip through my local travel agents. I had no issues with my booking. Confirmations came through quickly!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Cameron Horn - Traveled, September 2024
Been on quite a few contikis and all the trip managers were true to their word saying that Vietnam Experience trip has absolutely the best itinerary! From exploring temples, morning hikes, mudfishing, bike riding, trying new foods, kayaking, and cruising Halong Bay, there is something for everyone to enojoy! Easy and quick to book. Emails with trip details and visa information really making the booking experience seamless.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Kelsey Day - Traveled, July 2024
Loved it! Great sights, cool add ons. Just be mindful that this is a modular trip so some travellers have already been away for two weeks when the Vietnam Experience starts
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/25/2024
Riccardo Scalco - Traveled, August 2024
Having done previous South East Asia trips, I can honestly say Vietnam went above and beyond expectations. *Personal information removed by Feefo* was an amazing TM and as a fellow South African made the trip feel like a home away from home experience. Vietnam is without a doubt a culinary goldmine; Banh Mi, Bit Tet, Pho and some amazing Italian cuisine because why not. The trip was so memorable that I feel it could definitely do with an extra day or 2, a night in Da Nang would have been great and possibly an extra night in Ninh Binh but overall the activities were great, the local guides were knowledgeable and informative, we had a good group that meshed well and once again a massive shout out to *Personal information removed by Feefo* for running such a smooth trip that will not be forgotten any time soon. Sticky Rice. Having booked through Contiki before the process was just as smooth and seamless as before. Being able to pay a deposit to secure my trip way in advance when it was still just a whim on my end is amazing. The level of detail Contiki put into the documentation you receive for your trip is great, it allows you to truly shut off and enjoy the experience knowing all the planning is in place.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
This trip was very well organised and well thought out. It definitely showed off the best of Vietnam and included a variety of cities and scenic spots which I loved. It was very fast paced which could be tiring sometimes but everything ran smoothly and I could relax knowing that all of the transport was organised. My main improvement would be to have better dinner recommendations for the evenings, the restaurants were often expensive and not particularly authentic and so I sometimes went off from the group so I could choose my own restaurants. Jamie was a good trip manager and was always organised with what we were doing and available for a chat, she also brought a good energy. R The trip was easy to book. My main complaint is that the contiki guide book gave the complete wrong suitcase dimensions which weren't required for any of the activities and almost all of the group ignored. I would have enjoyed a larger suitcase so that I could do more shopping.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2024
Stefan - Traveled, October 2024
This was my sixth Contiki and unfortunately my lowest-rated. In part because of our inexperienced Trip Manager (TM), Sesh, but there were also some poor aspects of the trip. Our TM regularly sat back and allowed the local guides to do all the work, including administrative stuff that should've been her remit, which rubbed me the wrong way. Our TM failed to provide adequate information throughout the trip, leaving us regularly confused and unprepared. Everything is very fast-paced, with very little free time, so it might be worth skipping some of the activities if you'd like to get yourself organised or explore at your own pace. In terms of paid activities I'd give the mud baths a miss as it really wasn't worth it you just sit in shallow, brown water that doesn't even completely cover your legs. The kayaking is probably also with avoiding as you're given little guidance and left to fend for yourself dodging the oars of other boats in a cramped area. The bike ride in Hoi An isn't a tour at all, but just a hectic ride through tight streets trying not to collide with other tourists, then you're burdened with a bike you need to ride 20 minutes back to the hotel to return. Just get a lift there and enjoy the perfectly walkable area. The mud fishing took place in a dammed-off area where they've clearly just released a few fish for tourists to catch with their hands. It seemed a bit unethical to stress out the fish for no reason, so only take part if you're comfortable with that. The basket boats and jeep ride were both fun and worth the cost! Perhaps it was our TM, or the design of the trip, but we often found ourselves in restaurants or at scheduled stops by convenience stores that were extremely expensive. Vietnam is a cheap country, but we were regularly taken to places that charged 5-10x more for food and drink than anywhere we found on our own. US$4 for a bag of crisps is criminal, so I presume either the TM or Contiki were getting kickbacks from dragging the group through numerous tourist traps. There were also trip members, including myself, who got food poisoning from these tourist trap restaurants serving western food, though we had no such issues when finding local places on our own (and they were tastier and cheaper too). A shame that you're paying for a guide with 'local knowledge', but getting taken to whatever dodgy place came up first following a Google search, Despite a lot of complaining from our TM (it was maybe the second time she'd done it), the overnight train really wasn't that bad. For some it was the best night's sleep they'd had on the trip. A few people found enormous cockroaches (size of my palm) in the hotel in Nha Trang, which is something to be mindful of. Though the rest of the accommodation was relatively clean. I booked the trip with my partner and requested that we share a bed, which has been no issue in previous Contikis. On this one however, we were always given two single beds and where possible had to repeatedly ask reception to correct the error. Dietary requirements were also not well catered to. We were taken to a restaurant where one trip member was assured there would be options, but she could only eat the salad. When she said that she hadn't had enough to eat, the TM blithely told her to order a second one. Really gross and dismissive, so take care if you have any special requirements you're expecting Contiki to accommodate. The local guides were amazing, and the trip ran much more smoothly when they were present. All fun, bubbly and full of useful knowledge. Overall the country is nice and the trip covers a lot of the highlights. It is fast-paced and feels messy however, so your enjoyment of it may depend on your own requirements and whether you have a competent TM!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Cameron Ryan - Traveled, October 2024
An amazing tour that shows you a wide variety of this beautiful country from South to North. *Personal information removed by Feefo" the tour manager went above and beyond, going so far as to help me catch up with the group for an additional activity I had paid for when I slept through my alarm. You get amazing cultural and historical facts from many different perspectives and the opportunity for amazing nights out with your group. Truly a great way to experience Vietnam.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Michael O'Connor - Traveled, September 2024
You have to book this trip! Everyday was epic and I made some amazing memories. The tour manager; Steph, is a credit to Contiki, she was amazing at her job and was always willing to go the extra mile for us. Each city was unique and awesome, the people were great and overall the trip was superb.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
I loved my Vietnam experience trip, it was the first Contiki I'd done and I'm very keen to do another one. The trip manager was awesome he was funny, always happy and tried his best to include everyone. He was organised, although there we're a few delays and muddle ups at times I understand that's bound to happen with a big group and mostly out of his control. Overall the accommodation was nice, some hotels we're fancier than others and the destinations we're incredible. We we're always kept entertained and always on the move. I wish there we're more included experiences as most we're optional extras you had to pay for. I ended up missing out on one included experience because we missed the bus by 5 minutes, I only wish there was more communication around that however overall stoked with how it turned out.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
