Getting inside the Forbidden City with VIP access, meet cute pandas, hike on the Great Wall, cruise in Halong Bay, try out Vietnamese traditional dress Ao Dai in Hoi An and explore real life of the Mekong. Without a doubt, these two amazing countries will enrich your experience, not only as a traveler, also as an insider.
Highlights
- VIP access to the Forbidden City with an expert and enjoy sunset view of it.
- Meet cute pandas and learn about their daily routine
- Enjoy a smooth and fast bullet train ride from Beijing to Shanghai
- Learn to make lanterns with a local artist in Hoi An
- Pace out with some free days in Nha Trang
Journey Route
What Our Customers Said
Vietnam & UAE FANTASTIC tour! Thank you Albee Ning!
Albee was INCREDIBLE. She arranged a 9-day private tour of both North and South Vietnam. No stone was left unturned: a private cruise up the Mekong; excellent hotel reservations; personal, caring tour guides; More
Consumer, Jun 2020
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We traveled with Asia Highlights…
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful 5 1/2 week trip that was organized by the exceptional Ruby Zhao. We have traveled a lot and Ruby is the VERY BEST AGENT we have ever had! More
Lurinda Smith Barton Barnwell, Mar 2020
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We were.very satisfied with Asia…Four Great Weeks in China and Viet Nam
Asia Highlights was very efficient at advising us on what to see and the best routes to take, but they were also very flexible in integrating our own ideas in regard of travel destinations and accommodations. More
Eva and Jim, Oct 2019
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We were.very satisfied with Asia…Four Great Weeks in China and Viet Nam
During our four weeks in China and Viet Nam we experienced excellent guides and drivers who were employees of Asia. Highlights. More
Eva and Jim, Oct 2019
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Trip to Vietnam with Asia Highlights was well above expectations
My 12-day private trip to Vietnam was a very rewarding experience, and every day was fantastic, and well above expectations. My trip was perfectly well prepared and organized by Lissy Syoo from Asia Highlights, More
cdietp, May 2019
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Trip to Vietnam with Asia Highlights was well above expectations
In summary, every day, every hour, every moment that I spent in Vietnam was so beautiful and extraordinary. It was also a great educational experience for me. I was very fortunate to have all the guides I had. More
cdietp, May 2019
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Repeat Customer
We traveled with China Highlights in 2015 and were completely satisfied, so when they emailed that they now were arranging trips to SE Asia we didn't even consider looking at other tour companies. More
Terry, Feb 2019
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Repeat Customer
We spent three weeks in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. We were a group of six and had absolutely no issues whatsoever. It would be impossible to list everything we liked about our tour. More
Terry, Feb 2019
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Itinerary in Detail
This tour demonstrates an extended trip to Vietnam with all its highlights after a China exploration. It is entirely up to you to made discovery in your own way.
Nihao!
When you flight lands in Beijing Capital International Airport, your private tour guide and driver will be waiting for you. It won't be hard for you to spot your tour guide as he/she will be holding a sign with your name on. Transfer to your hotel and relax for the rest of today.
Embrace a brand new day with a fresh coffee and breakfast. Later we will take a walking tour at the
Forbidden City
with a Forbidden City expert. Skip the waiting line at the entrance, you will be taken straight into the imperial palace where you can see the real scene of the movie The Last Emperor and learn the stories behind every building.
You will also have a nice sunset view of the Forbidden City at
Jingshan Park
.
Enjoy your exploration with VIP access at the imperial palace. Walking tour in the Forbidden City is one of our best-selling trips of Beijing and it offers a deeper insight into the history without wasting time in the waiting line and getting shoved by the crowds. Your tour guide is actually a nerd of the Forbidden City and for certain he/she will tell you only the things you are interested in.

After breakfast, we will see off to
Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
.
How long is the Great Wall? Well, there is no simple answer to this question. Take a round-way cable car up the mountain range and you will have a soft hike for about half an hour. This section is more favored by westerners for stunning vistas and less crowded. Have a simple lunch after the trip and we will get back to the city in about 2 hours.
For a relaxing afternoon, we will take a visit at the
Summer Palace
, where the royal court used for leisure. Take a boat ride over the Kunming Lake, walk inside the Garden of Virtuous Harmony and visit Suzhou Street, which is a mini-scale replica of the city Suzhou.

Meet some cute friends! Pay a visit to the Giant Pandas at
Beijing Zoo
. You have seen them on TV, magazine and internet, but today you will see them in person. At around 10am, the Giant Pandas at Beijing Zoo are just up for a brunch. Learn about these cute animals and visit their nursery room.
Take a high speed bullet train to Shanghai in the afternoon.
The train ride will be smooth and fast. Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will meet your private tour guide. Transfer to hotel and free at leisure.

Before a city tour in Shanghai, you will firstly visit the Yuyuan Garden before the crowds get in. And then learn about how the city was built up at Urban Planning Exhibition Hall . Have lunch and take a leisure walk along The Bund . In the afternoon, visit French Concession and your private driver will drop you off at Nanjing Road where you may go for free exploration. (Or any other places you wish)

Have a free morning in Shanghai. After lunch on your own, you will fly to Hanoi. Meet up with your private tour guide and transfer and get to your hotel for relaxing time.
Vietnam is one hour late than China. For example, 3pm in China is 2pm in Vietnam.
Hanoi flashes you back to the early 20th century. Get to know the city with a peek into interesting ethnic minorities' lifestyles at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology . Pay a visit ath Unclo Ho's last resting place Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum . After lunch, you will stop by Temple of Literature . One of the best things of Hanoi is that you can be a part of the local life. With your insightful tour guide, you will explore the Old Quarter with chances to get great bargains and eats.

After a fresh coffee and breakfast, you will be on the way to Halong Bay. No rip to Vietnam is complete until you cruise Halong Bay. An overnight is indispensable as the bay itself is boundless and needs at least one day and one night to take in as much as possible.

Take the shuttle transfer back to Hanoi when your cruise reaches the shore at 11am.
Fly to Danang where you meet up another friendly tour guide and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An Ancient Town is just the right definition of Vietnam's timeless charm. This morning, you will have some insightful visits at of this town's essence: the
Japanese Covered Bridge
,
Fukian Assembly Hall
and the
Old House of Tan Ky
.
After lunch, a class will be taken on how to make lanterns at a workshop run by a NGO.
Lifestart Foundation
is an Australia-based team that focuses on helping those in need through proven working programs and initiatives which are designed to effect a generational change.

Transfer to Danang and fly to Nha Trang.
Enjoy your time on Nha Trang's beach.

Enjoy your free time in Nha Trang. Take the onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hit the road to Can Tho and you will arrive by the evening.
Unlike the overland markets,
Cai Rang Floating Market
in Can Tho opens at 5am, or even earlier. All boats will hang up a piece of merchandises on a pole at the front of the boat, as an ad sign. Farm workers will be busy loading the goods while the orchard owners are calculating numbers with their retailers. This wholesale market presents its best before 8am. And later, we will have boat trip to some small islands and visit a local orchard for lunch.
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Cu Chi Tunnels
is one of the most interesting attractions in Ho Chi Minh City for its mind-provoking historic background and chance for some close-up experience. After breakfast, you will hit the road to this site with a preface by your tour guide. The underground system provided the Viet Cong with space to live, shelter, and battle base during the war with the US. Duck in one of the tunnels to get a hint.
Get back to the city and free at leisure.

Embrace a fresh morning of Saigon. This southern city oozes with nostalgic charm among its colonial-era buildings, street side Caf's and shady boulevards. Take an easy walk to the downtown, where you will see
General Post Office
,
Notre Dame Cathedral
and
Reunification Palace
.
For history buffs or children, they must love what the
War Remnants Museum
has to offer: mind-provoking history and great exhibition dating back to last century during wartime, including F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter are their most interesting collection. However, please be noted that your guide might not accompany you inside the museum because the content triggers sad memories for many Vietnamese.
Later, hop on a cyclo (local name for rickshaw) that is pedaled by a local. Enjoy the ride to feel the easy-lazy vibe of Ho Chi Minh City.

Hand-Picked Hotels
We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.








Our Service Includes:
- Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels and lunches for every guided day
- Governmental taxes
Tour code: ah-4
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