Ha Long Bay at sunset, tour boats on green water between limestone karsts

Kosher Tour of Vietnam, December 2027

Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, VietnamWhere

December 6–15, 2027Dates

$5,400 per personFrom

The tour

Ten days from Saigon to Ha Long Bay

Our kosher tour of Vietnam is ten days from south to north with the group and an English-speaking guide: Ho Chi Minh City and a boat through the Mekong Delta, four nights in the old trading town of Hoi An with a day in the Ba Na Hills, then Hanoi, the karst country of Ninh Binh and a day on Ha Long Bay. Every meal is Glatt Kosher Mehadrin, with dinners at Chabad in Saigon and Hanoi, and Shabbat is kept in Hoi An with the Chabad community there. Four more days in the mountains of Sapa can be added at the end.

10 days, 9 nights: Monday, December 6 to Wednesday, December 15, 2027. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the first day, fly home from Hanoi on the last.
Three hotels: Two nights at the Rex in Ho Chi Minh City, four at Almanity Hoi An and three at Fraser Suites in Hanoi, four- and five-star.
Meals: Three Glatt Kosher Mehadrin meals a day, with packed lunches on touring days and dinners at Chabad of Ho Chi Minh City and Chabad of Hanoi.
Flights inside Vietnam: Both domestic flights are included: Saigon to Da Nang on day 3, and Da Nang to Hanoi on day 7.

A long valley of flooded paddies between steep green karst hills in Ninh Binh, seen from the air — Ninh Binh, "Ha Long Bay on land"

Wooden boats lit with lanterns on the river beside the old tiled roofs of Hoi An, seen from above at dusk — Lantern boats on the Thu Bon River, Hoi An

Boats crowding the Cai Rang floating market on a Mekong Delta river, seen from above — The Mekong Delta

A dirt track running between two ripening rice fields toward wooded hills — Rice fields outside Hoi An

Mountain peaks lit pink at sunrise above a sea of cloud — Sunrise from Fansipan, Sapa

What the tour includes

Nine nights in four- and five-star hotels
Three Glatt Kosher Mehadrin meals a day, including packed lunches for day tours
The complete touring itinerary with a local English-speaking guide
Travel in a luxury, air-conditioned coach
Kosher Travelers' own program and a complete Shabbat program
Entrance fees for every site on the itinerary
Two domestic flights inside Vietnam
Airport pick-up on arrival and drop-off on departure
Two bottles of water a day
Tourism tax

International flights to Ho Chi Minh City and home from Hanoi, and travel insurance, are not included.

Kashrut

Kosher in Vietnam, at every meal

Every meal on the tour is Glatt Kosher Mehadrin, under strict kosher supervision. In Ho Chi Minh City and in Hanoi the group has dinner at Chabad, and in Hoi An Friday night and the Shabbat meals are with the local Chabad community.

On touring days you take a packed lunch, and on the Ha Long Bay cruise there is light tea and snacks on board. On the Sapa extension the hotel warms and serves your kosher meals. Tell us about any allergy or dietary need when you reserve.

Sheer limestone karsts rising from the still water of Ha Long Bay in soft evening light — Ha Long Bay

The hotels

Saigon, Hoi An and Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City: The Rex. Two nights, days 1 and 2.
Hoi An: Almanity Hoi An. Four nights, days 3 to 6, with Shabbat in the middle, so you unpack once for half the tour.
Hanoi: Fraser Suites, in one-bedroom suites. Three nights, days 7 to 9; Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay are day trips from here.
Sapa (extension): Four nights at a hotel in Sapa, days 10 to 13, for guests who add the mountains.

The tiled roof and carved ridge of the Japanese Covered Bridge over a canal in Hoi An, old yellow houses on either side — Hoi An

A lit pavilion on Hoan Kiem Lake at dusk, its lights reflected in the water, the city behind the trees — Hanoi

Day by day

The Vietnam itinerary, day by day

Daily walking is light to moderate, with some steps and village paths. Life vests are provided on every boat.

Day 1 · MondayHo Chi Minh City. Airport pick-up and time to settle in. A short walk past the French-colonial Notre-Dame Cathedral, from outside, and the Central Post Office, then Saigon Square market for light clothing and souvenirs. In the evening, the AO Show, contemporary Vietnamese acrobatics with bamboo. Dinner at Chabad.Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 · TuesdayThe Mekong Delta. Drive to Ben Tre, take a river boat out to the islets and glide in a sampan under the coconut palms. Stops at orchards, a family home, a coconut-candy workshop and for honey tea: small-scale country life on the river. Back to Saigon by late afternoon, and dinner at Chabad.Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

A small covered boat on a wide brown canal between banks of palms — A canal in the Mekong Delta

Day 3 · WednesdaySaigon to Hoi An. A guided visit to the Reunification Palace, with its Cold War history and preserved bunkers, then the flight to Da Nang and a private transfer to Hoi An. At sunset, a short boat ride on the Thu Bon River, where each guest sets a lantern on the water.Overnight: Hoi An
Day 4 · ThursdayThe Ba Na Hills and Hoi An's old town. A record-length cable car up to the Ba Na Hills, cooler at altitude, for the Golden Bridge held up by two giant stone hands, the French Village and the gardens. In the afternoon, a walk through the Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and the old merchant lanes, with time for the tailors and the lantern shops.Overnight: Hoi An

Lantern-lit boats gathered on the river beside Hoi An's old town at dusk, seen from above — Lanterns on the Thu Bon River

A curving golden footbridge held up by two huge weathered stone hands above green mountain forest — The Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills

The Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An, its tiled roof over a canal — The Japanese Covered Bridge

Day 5 · FridayCoconut forest and Tra Que. At the Cam Thanh coconut forest, local fishermen show how they spin their round basket boats, then a calm ride along the canals. At Tra Que, a village of vegetable gardens, try preparing the soil, planting and watering with the traditional tools. Back at the hotel by 4:00pm to prepare for Shabbat, then to Chabad.Overnight: Hoi An
Day 6 · ShabbatTefillot and the Shabbat meals with the local Chabad community, and a quiet Shabbat at the hotel. After Shabbat, the Hoi An Memories Show, an outdoor spectacle, with electric carts to take you there and back.Overnight: Hoi An

A dirt track between two ripening rice fields, wooded hills and an evening sky beyond — The countryside around Hoi An

A narrow boat on a palm-lined canal — Palm-lined waterways, as at Cam Thanh

Day 7 · SundayDa Nang to Hanoi. A morning flight north. A cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake to the Ngoc Son Temple, and the Water Puppet Theatre. Dinner at Chabad.Overnight: Hanoi
Day 8 · MondayNinh Binh. Drive to Ninh Binh, "Ha Long Bay on land", and take a sampan rowboat through the caves and rice paddies of Tam Coc. Then ride pillion with a local driver through the villages and the karst country; an electric cart can be arranged instead. Back to Hanoi by late afternoon for dinner at Chabad.Overnight: Hanoi
Day 9 · TuesdayHa Long Bay. Drive to the coast for four hours on the water among the limestone islands, and a visit to the Thien Cung Cave. Bring a hat and a light jacket for the breeze on deck. Back to Hanoi by early evening, and dinner at Chabad.Overnight: Hanoi
Day 10 · WednesdayBreakfast and free time for last shopping in the Old Quarter, then the transfer to the airport.Departure

A pavilion lit up on the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake at dusk, flags above it — Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

Green karst hills, pools and a winding road in Ninh Binh, seen from the air — Ninh Binh

Tall limestone karsts rising from the sea, a small boat between them — Ha Long Bay

The Sapa extension: four nights in the mountains

Instead of flying home on day 10, stay on for four nights in Sapa, in the mountains of the far north, with a second Shabbat there, for an additional $2,000 per person. It ends on Sunday, December 19, 2027. The mountains are cool to chilly in December: pack layers.

Day 10 · WednesdayHanoi to Sapa by limousine minibus, about six hours on a scenic highway; check in from 2:00pm. By motorbike to Cat Cat, a H'Mong village with a waterfall, craft demonstrations and a folk show.Overnight: Sapa
Day 11 · ThursdayThe Fansipan cable car to 3,143 m, with viewing platforms and the pagoda complex at the top; layer up for the cold. In the afternoon, Lao Chai and Ta Van in the Muong Hoa Valley: rice terraces, minority villages, an easy walk and viewpoints.Overnight: Sapa
Day 12 · FridayThe Silver Waterfall and the Heaven's Gate pass for the wide mountain views, and a glass-bridge lookout for those who like heights. Back in time to prepare for Shabbat.Overnight: Sapa
Day 13 · ShabbatA full day of Shabbat at leisure, with gentle walks near the hotel.Overnight: Sapa
Day 14 · SundayBreakfast and a morning at leisure, then the transfer back to Hanoi Airport for your flight home.Departure

A waterfall dropping into a rocky stream in a green gorge, wooden village houses on the bank — Cat Cat village, Sapa

Golden rice terraces curving down to a river, seen from above — Rice terraces below Sapa

The summit buildings and a pagoda on the green ridge of Fansipan, a sea of cloud below — The top of Fansipan

A waterfall falling down a mossy green rock face, bamboo leaves in front — A mountain waterfall in the north

Guide and Shabbat

An English-speaking guide, and Shabbat in Hoi An

A local English-speaking guide leads the touring every day, from the Mekong Delta to Ha Long Bay.

Shabbat falls in the middle of the four nights in Hoi An. On Friday the touring ends by 4:00pm, so there is time to prepare before you go to Chabad. Tefillot and the Shabbat meals are with the local Chabad community, and the rest of the day is quiet, at the hotel. After Havdalah there is the Hoi An Memories Show, with electric carts there and back.

Lantern-lit boats on the river and the tiled roofs of Hoi An's old town at dusk — Hoi An at dusk

The pace

Who the tour suits, and what to pack

This is a full ten days, with touring on most days and two domestic flights. The walking is light to moderate, with some steps and village paths, and several days include a boat.

Life vests are provided on every boat
On the Ninh Binh motorbike ride you sit behind a local driver, with a helmet; an electric cart can be arranged instead
The south is warm and humid in December, Hanoi is cooler, and the Ba Na Hills and Sapa are cool to chilly: pack layers
Every day: a hat, sunscreen, a refillable bottle, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain layer and small bills for crafts and snacks
The Sapa extension adds a drive of about six hours from Hanoi and cold mountain air at the top of Fansipan
The reservation form asks for a short health declaration, because some tours are more active than others

Karst hills around flooded paddies in Ninh Binh, a road winding between them — The karst country of Ninh Binh

Price

What the Vietnam tour costs

The December 2027 tour is priced at $5,400 per person, sharing a double room. A room of your own is a single supplement of $1,000. The four-night Sapa extension is an additional $2,000 per person.

The price covers the nine nights in the hotels, three kosher meals a day, the guide, the coach, the two domestic flights, the airport transfers, the entrance fees on the itinerary and the Shabbat program. International flights and travel insurance are extra, as is anything you buy along the way.

Deposit and terms

What you pay, and when

Payment

On booking$1,000 per person
Balance120 days before departure

All prices and payments are in US dollars.

If you need to cancel

120 days or more before$500 per person
45 to 120 days before50% of the invoice
Within 45 daysNo refund

We strongly recommend travel insurance covering cancellation, medical care and luggage.

What happens after you inquire

You send a short inquiry
A few questions, with this tour already filled in.
We reply within one working day
The person for your region calls or emails you with the itinerary and the reservation form.
We answer every question
Kashrut, rooms, flights, the Sapa extension, deposit and balance. Ask as many as you like.
Places are confirmed in order of booking
The group has a fixed number of places. Your reservation form and deposit confirm yours.

Your hosts

Who is looking after you

David Walles
Tours
David runs our tours with Chana. They made Aliyah from Melbourne in 2008 and took over Eddie's Kosher Travel.
Chana Walles
Tours
Chana manages our tours with David.

Before you travel, send us your flight times into Ho Chi Minh City and out of Hanoi, so the airport pick-up and drop-off can be timed for you. For anything else, the simplest route is an email or a call to the line for your region; every missed call and message is returned.

A track between ripening rice fields under a wide evening sky — Rice fields outside Hoi An

What our guests have to say

What guests said

“We are just back from the China trip – tired and coldish but utterly exhilarated by all we have seen and experienced.”

Alan and Joyce Mays · China

“As independent travelers, it was with some trepidation we joined a group. Immediately, we felt in good hands by the updated information and availability of organizers.”

Stuart and Gloria Shocket · Netanya · Batumi, Georgia, July 2021

Questions

Asked before booking the Vietnam tour

When is the next kosher tour of Vietnam?

Monday, December 6 to Wednesday, December 15, 2027: ten days, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City and flying home from Hanoi. The Sapa extension runs on to Sunday, December 19.

Where in Vietnam does the tour go?

From south to north: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, then Hoi An with the Ba Na Hills, the Cam Thanh coconut forest and Tra Que village, then Hanoi, with day trips to Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay. The optional extension adds four nights in Sapa, with Fansipan and the rice terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley.

Is every meal kosher?

Yes. Every meal is Glatt Kosher Mehadrin. Dinners in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are at Chabad, the Shabbat meals in Hoi An are with the local Chabad community, and on touring days you take a packed lunch.

How is Shabbat kept on the tour?

In Hoi An: the touring ends by 4:00pm on Friday, then tefillot and the Shabbat meals are with the local Chabad community, and the rest of the day is quiet, at the hotel. Guests on the Sapa extension have a second Shabbat there.

Are flights included?

The two flights inside Vietnam are included, as are the airport pick-up and drop-off. You book your own international flights into Ho Chi Minh City and home from Hanoi; send us your flight times.

What is the weather like in December?

Warm and humid in the south, cooler in Hanoi, and cool to chilly in the Ba Na Hills and in Sapa. Pack layers, a hat, sunscreen and a light rain layer.

What is the Sapa extension?

Four more nights in the mountains of the north after the main tour, for an additional $2,000 per person: the H'Mong village of Cat Cat, the cable car to the top of Fansipan, the rice terraces of Lao Chai and Ta Van, the Silver Waterfall, and a Shabbat in Sapa.

Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly recommend insurance covering cancellation, medical care and luggage, bought soon after you pay your deposit so the cover is complete.

Also on the tour calendar

Our other kosher tours

Every escorted tour we run, with its dates, is on the kosher tours page. Asia by sea instead: the kosher cruise to Japan, South Korea and China.

Discover

The world beyond the ordinary.

Connect

Friendships that outlast the trip.

Enrich

Memories that touch the soul.

From$5,400 per person

Jerusalem at dusk, seen from the Inbal Hotel

Inquire

Speak to someone about your trip

Call the line for your region, or send an inquiry and we will come back to you.

info@koshertravelers.com

Speak to Shelley in reservations. Every missed call and message is returned.

Since 1991 · Glatt Mehadrin