Departure: Hanoi – Halong – Sapa – Hue – Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta
See the highlights of Vietnam while travelling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including the 1,000 year old capital Hanoi; experiencing tranquil Ha Long Bay, the northern highland town of Sapa and the stunning scenery in the north. Take in Central Vietnam, the Forbidden city of Hue and the most developed city, Danang, with beautiful beaches nearby.
Hanoi: Capital of Vietnam with old French style buildings, lakes and the Old Quarter
Ha Long Bay: UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its fresh, and calm waters populated with thousands of islands and islets
Sapa: In the mountainous area of Vietnam, where travellers can experience four seasons in one day.
Hoi An: Situated only 30KM from Da Nang, Hoi An is a beautiful, old town with historic architecture, traditional culture and famous textile industries.
Ho Chi Minh City: The biggest city in Vietnam, which is famous for the Ben Thanh Market and war relics.
Day 1: Arrive - Hanoi Day 2: Hanoi - City Tour Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Day 4: Ha Long - Hanoi - Lao Cai Day 5: Lao Cai - Sapa - Cat Cat Day 6: Sapa - Lao Chai - Tavan - Hanoi Day 7: Hanoi - Hue Day 8: Hue City Tour Day 9: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City Day 11: Saigon City Tour Day 12: Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho Day 13: Cai Rang Floating Market - Ho Chi Minh City Day14: Ho Chi Minh City departure
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met at Noi Bai Airport and taken to your hotel in Hanoi for a relaxing evening . Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR (B,L)
8:00 AM: Tour guide picks you up for a full-day Hanoi exploration.
•Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Stilt House - note Mausoleum closures).
• See the unique One Pillar Pagoda.
• Visit the historically significant Temple of Literature.
• Enjoy local lunch at a nearby restaurant.
• Afternoon: Visit the Ethnology Museum (or Women’s Museum if Ethnology Museum is closed).
• Experience the bustling Hanoi Train Street and Old Quarter, including Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake.
• Return to your hotel around 5:00 PM.
Overnight in Hanoi
DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG (B,L,D)
08:00 – 08:30 – Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and transfer to Ha Long (approx. 2.5–3 hours by road).
11:30 – 11:45 – Arrive at Ha Long International Harbor.
12:15 – Transfer to the cruise by tender. Enjoy a welcome drink, receive a cruise briefing, and check in to your cabin.
13:00 – Lunch on board while the boat begins cruising into the heart of Ha Long Bay, passing fascinating limestone islands and emerald waters.
14:45 – Explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, the largest and most spectacular cave in Ha Long Bay.
16:00 – Visit Titop Island, famous for its crescent-shaped beach and crystal waters. You may climb to the mountain peak for a panoramic view of the bay or relax and swim at the beach.
17:00 – 18:30 – Return to the cruise. Relax on the sundeck during sunset with your favorite drinks. Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration with the chef.
19:15 – Savor a delicious dinner on board.
21:00 – Evening leisure: try night squid fishing, enjoy karaoke, or simply relax under the starry sky. Overnight on the cruise.
DAY 4: HALONG - HANOI - LAO CAI (B,L,D)
Morning: Start the day with breakfast on board. Enjoy the cruise’s final activities such as a light excursion (floating village visit / kayaking / cave exploration – depending on the cruise program).
Return to the boat, check out of your cabin, and relax while the cruise sails back to the pier.
Brunch / early lunch is served on board before disembarkation.
11:00 – 11:30 – Disembark at Ha Long International Harbor. Meet your driver for the transfer back to Hanoi.
Afternoon: Arrive in Hanoi (around 14:30–15:00). Free time to relax, stroll in the Old Quarter, or enjoy an early dinner on your own.
Evening: Transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight train to Lao Cai (shared 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin).
Overnight on train.
DAY 5: LAO CAI - SAPA - CAT CAT (B,L)
Early Morning: Arrive at Lao Cai Railway Station. Meet your local guide and transfer by private vehicle to Sapa Town (approx. 1 hour drive, winding mountain roads with scenic views).
Upon arrival, have breakfast and check in (early check-in subject to room availability, or luggage can be stored at the hotel). Take some time to rest.
Late Morning: Begin a guided trek to Cat Cat Village, home of the Black H’Mong ethnic minority. Stroll down a scenic valley road leading into the village.
Visit traditional wooden houses to learn about local crafts such as weaving, indigo dyeing, and metalwork.
Continue the walk to Cat Cat Waterfall, a beautiful spot surrounded by mountains and rice terraces.
Interact with local villagers and discover their daily life and culture.
Lunch: Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant in Sapa.
Afternoon: Leisure time to explore Sapa Town at your own pace – visit the local market, admire French colonial architecture, or simply relax at your hotel.
Evening: Overnight in Sapa.
DAY 6 : SAPA - LAO CHAI - TA VAN - HANOI (B,L,D)
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and begin a scenic trek through the Muong Hoa Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in northern Vietnam.
Walk along mountain trails with panoramic views of terraced rice fields.
Visit Lao Chai Village, home to the Black H’Mong ethnic group. Learn about their unique traditions, handicrafts, and farming methods.
Continue trekking to Ta Van Village, where the Giay minority people live in wooden stilt houses surrounded by rice paddies.
Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch along the trek or a meal at a local family house.
Afternoon: After exploring Ta Van, transfer back to Sapa Town by vehicle. Free time to freshen up and rest.
Evening: Transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station for the overnight train to Hanoi (shared 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin).
Overnight on train.
DAY 7 : HANOI - HUE (B)
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to relax or explore Hanoi on your own until your transfer.
At the scheduled time, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue.
Upon arrival in Hue: Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Afternoon: Free time at leisure to rest after the flight, stroll along the Perfume River, or explore the local neighborhood.
Evening: Overnight in Hue.
DAY 8: HUE CITY TOUR (B,L)
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
08:00 – Your guide and driver will pick you up for a full-day exploration of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.
Visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, where the Nguyen Emperors once lived and ruled. Walk through grand gates, palaces, and temples, and learn about Vietnam’s royal history.
Take a leisurely boat trip on the Perfume River to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, a historic Buddhist site offering spiritual insight and panoramic river views.
Lunch: Savor a traditional Vietnamese meal at a restaurant in Hue city center.
Afternoon: Continue to the beautifully landscaped Tu Duc Tomb, an architectural masterpiece reflecting the Emperor’s romanticism and philosophy.
End the day with a visit to Dong Ba Market, where you can experience local life, shop for handicrafts, and sample Hue’s unique cuisine.
Evening: Return to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
DAY 9 : HUE - DANANG - HOI AN (B,L)
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Hue and drive south along the famous Hai Van Pass, known as one of the most spectacular coastal routes in Vietnam. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Truong Son Mountains and the East Sea.
Stop at the summit of Hai Van Pass to take photos and admire the sweeping panoramas.
Continue the journey, passing picturesque Lang Co Beach and the peaceful fishing villages along the way.
Lunch: Enjoy a Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant en route.
Afternoon: Arrive in Hoi An Ancient Town. Check in at your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax at the hotel or take a leisurely stroll through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.
Evening: Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 10: HOI AN - DANANG - HO CHI MINH (B)
Morning: After breakfast, enjoy free time in Hoi An Ancient Town to relax, go shopping for tailor-made clothes, or simply soak up the charming atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage streets.
Midday: Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (e.g., 13:30 departure).
Afternoon: Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, meet your local guide/driver and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Evening: The rest of the evening is free at leisure to explore the vibrant city on your own – you may stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, discover the bustling Ben Thanh Market, or enjoy Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 11 : HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L)
Morning: After breakfast at your hotel, begin a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling southern hub.
Visit the historic Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace of South Vietnam.
Explore
(exterior view, under renovation) and the Central Post Office, a classic French-colonial landmark.
Stop by the War Remnants Museum, offering insightful exhibitions about the Vietnam War.
Lunch: Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to Chinatown (Cholon) to visit Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea and richly decorated with incense coils and carvings.
Stroll through the bustling Binh Tay Market, full of spices, teas, and local products.
End the day with a walk along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), famous for its shops, cafés, and colonial architecture.
Evening: Return to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 12: SAI GON - MY THO - CAN THO (B,L)
08:00 – After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel for the transfer to My Tho in the Mekong Delta.
Upon arrival, board a motorized boat along the Bao Dinh Canal, lined with stilt houses and fruit plantations.
Visit the lively My Tho Wholesale Fruit Market and then continue by boat to Turtle Island.
Lunch: Enjoy a traditional meal served in the heart of a lush orchard.
In the afternoon, continue your boat ride through the Tan Trach Canal in Ben Tre, shaded by dense groves of water coconut trees.
Stop at local family workshops to see how coconut candies and other regional products are made, offering an authentic glimpse into the Delta’s agricultural lifestyle.
Stroll through fruit plantations on Thoi Son Island, tasting fresh tropical fruits.
Enjoy a tranquil rowing boat ride along small creeks, surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the Delta.
Return to My Tho by boat, then transfer by car to Can Tho.
Evening: Check in at your hotel in Can Tho. Free time at leisure to rest or explore the riverside city on your own. Overnight in Can Tho.
DAY 13: CAN THO - CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET - HO CHI MINH (B,L)
08:00 – After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest and most vibrant floating market in the Mekong Delta. Witness dozens of boats trading fresh fruits, vegetables, and other goods in a lively, colorful atmosphere.
Continue cruising through the network of small canals, passing by stilt houses and lush orchards.
Stop at a local village specializing in making traditional rice noodles, where you can observe the fascinating process of production.
See the unique “monkey bridges” of the Mekong Delta, simple hand-made bamboo or wooden bridges used by locals.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, transfer by car back to Ho Chi Minh City, with a short stop en route at a bonsai garden in My Tho to admire the artful landscaping.
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City around 17:30. The evening is free at leisure – relax, enjoy dinner, or do some last-minute shopping.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 14: HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE
After breakfast at the hotel, your day is free to enjoy the city until you transfer to the airport for your outgoing flight.
INCLUSION & EXCLUSION
INCLUSION :
Hotels in places as indicated (double/ twin room)
Private tours with English speaking guide for the entire trip, except leisure time
Entrance fees to applicable tourist sites
All transfers in air conditioned transport
Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate
Children Policy
The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate
SER
Service Details During The Trip
We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam by showcasing the unique local flavors. By balancing included sightseeing and free time, we can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
Private Local Tour Guide: You will have a fully licensed local tour guide from 'welcome' until you are farewelled at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and take care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours offer the best tour guides based on the features of your itinerary and the make up of the group, to maximize your tour while travelling. Having the right guide means you have the best experience.
Private Drivers and Vehicle: Safety is the first priority for transportation. All vehicles are in good condition and are well maintained with fully licensed and experienced drivers ensuring you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and enjoyable experience, cold drinking water and refreshing towels are provided in the car.
Local Flavor Meals: You don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours only chooses clean restaurants with pleasant environments for our guests. The menu is also carefully selected to ensure you can try different food at every meal. We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while travelling. We can also recommend where to eat so you can enjoy your favourite food when not eating with the group.
Well-Selected Hotels: Comfort and good value are our priorities when choosing hotels for our guests. We do our best to ensure good rest by the comfort of the mattress and bedding and offering rooms with a pleasant decorative style, user friendly facilities, good service and a great breakfast!
THINGS TO BRING:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for activities such as cycling and for long drives. Prepare for all kinds of weather. Bring a scarf, hat/cap, sun screen, sun glasses, a light waterproof jacket or umbrella and insect repellent. The weather is normally hot from May to October in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An but Saigon and Mekong Delta are hot the whole year around.
You should bring cash with you, preferably in Vietnamese Dong because the banking system doesn’t always function well. US Dollars and Euro are accepted in many places too. You should bring your medications with you although there are pharmacies in all destinations, if you do get sick.
Did we hit the mark with all the items on your travelling holiday bucket list?
If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with us create your personalized program.
Don't want the fun to end?
Why not combine this tour with Cambodia tours, Laos tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.
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