Discover the true essence of Vietnam on this 12-day journey from north to south, designed to showcase the country’s rich culture, history, and landscapes. From the charming streets of Hanoi and the breathtaking scenery of Ha Long Bay to the imperial heritage of Hue, the lantern-lit beauty of Hoi An, and the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, this itinerary offers a complete and immersive Vietnam experience.
12-Day Vietnam Cultural Discovery Tour: Complete North to South Itinerary
- Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Cruise through Ha Long Bay
- Discover Hue’s Imperial City
- Walk through Hoi An Ancient Town
- Experience Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit the Mekong Delta
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (-/-/-)
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B/L/-)
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B/Br/-)
Day 5: Hue City tour (B/L/-)
Day 6: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B/-/-)
Day 7: Hoi An tour (B/L/-)
Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/-/-)
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L/-)
Day 11: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/-)
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B/-/-)
Breakfast = B/ Lunch = L/ Dinner = D
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
When you arrive at the Noi Bai International airport you'll be met at the baggage claim by our friendly guide. We'll get you to your hotel and see that you're comfortable, plus we'll give you an introduction to the city at the same time. Then the rest of the day is yours to settle in, relax, and explore the area.Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to seven million people. Traditional and refined with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe locals practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade.Overnight at hotelMeals: NoneDAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR
You'll have your breakfast at the hotel and then the local tour guide will pick you up to take you into the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is over 1,000 years old and during your day tour you'll get to explore many of its fascinating cultural and historical sites. You'll visit the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” has been laid to rest, the delicate One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple and the Quan Thanh Pagoda.After lunch you can go to the Temple of Literature where you'll get to see ancient Vietnamese relics, then take a cyclo tour in 1 hour through the bustling and exciting Old Quarter to explore marketplace shops and foods. You'll end your day with a show at the water puppet theater - a beautifully unique cultural performance from northern Vietnam.Overnight in Hanoi.Meals: Breakfast, LunchDAY 3: HANOI – HA LONG BAY
We'll pick you up in Hanoi by 8:00am and drive through the verdant Red River Delta to make our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay. You'll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise - while you relax on-board you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle-covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.We'll serve you a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back and relax as you enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We'll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset. End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 4: HA LONG BAY – HANOI – HUE
Begin the day with a Tai Chi class on deck in the early morning mist or just admire the beautiful scenery as the sun rises over the azure waters. Choose between an excursion to a secluded island with a sandy beach for a swim or join the chef for a cooking demonstration to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy a leisurely brunch while your junk cruises Halong Bay, passing islets and caves as you make your way back to the dock.Your driver will meet you when you disembark and transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue. When you arrive in Hue we'll pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century. Despite heavy bombing during the Vietnam-American war, many historic monuments from this period remain, and even though Imperial rule ended more than six decades ago, Hue still bears the marks of its royal past. The city retains its royal charm with its emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel.Meals: Breakfast, LunchDAY 5: HUE CITY TOUR
You'll begin your day in Hue with a visit to the ruins of the Imperial Citadel, the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Then take a bicycle trip through the Old City to Tinh Tam Lake, the ancient gardens of the emperors. In the afternoon you can head to Thien Mu Pagoda, overlooking the emerald Perfume River. Your last stop will be to explore Khai Dinh's Tomb, a traditional Vietnamese temple with a European touch, making it a particularly unique tomb among the ancestral ruins of ancient Hue. In the evening you can explore the city and its marketplaces on your own.Meals: Breakfast, LunchDAY 6: HUE – DA NANG – HOI AN
You'll have breakfast in your hotel, then have some free time to shop, explore, or just relax. In the afternoon our guides will pick you up and take you to Hoi An. On your way you can stop to visit Lang Co Beach, a picturesque fishing village, then drive through the Pass of Ocean Clouds for a stunning panoramic view of the mountains and sea, and make a quick visit to the Cham Museum.After you arrive in Hoi An you will check into your hotel then have the afternoon to soak up the sun at Cua Dai beach.Hoi An was a prosperous port from the 16th to 19th centuries trading with merchants from China, Japan, India, Indonesia and Europe who came to buy silk, spices and porcelain. Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Quarter is beautifully preserved with ornate pagodas, antique trading houses and old tile-roofed shops. It is a rich architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European styles. Many of the historic buildings lining the canals and pedestrian streets have been converted into art galleries, boutique restaurants, bars and cafes. Hoi An is surrounded by attractive countryside with traditional farming and fishing, and by sandy beaches with modern seaside resorts.Meals: Breakfast, LunchDAY 7: HOI AN TOUR
Breakfast will be served at the hotel and afterwards you'll explore the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers-- all of which are sure to charm you. Then spend the afternoon further exploring the town on your own or head down to Cua Dai Beach to relax.Meals: Breakfast, LunchDAY 8: HOI AN – DA NANG – HO CHI MINH CITY
We'll pick you up after breakfast and take you to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After you arrive we'll get you to your hotel and then you can spend the evening exploring the bustling city of Saigon.Saigon is a city that never sleeps and offers a plethora of great restaurants and bars catering to all tastes, from street food vendors to the rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel, where international correspondents covered the Vietnam War and where the U.S. military attaché’s press briefing was held daily and dubbed the “Five O’clock Follies”. Whatever your interests, be sure to ask your guide for personal recommendations.Meals: BreakfastDAY 9: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS
We'll pick you up in the morning and take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a major part of the Vietnam-American War and a fascinating day trip-- explore the mysterious tunnels, find hidden doors and once-deadly traps. After lunch we'll go back to HCMC and spend the afternoon either visiting the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace, whichever you prefer. Then stroll around the city's colonial streets in the evening to the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.Meals: Breakfast, LunchDAY 10: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA – BEN TRE – CAN THO
Breakfast at your hotel. The guide picks you up and transfer you to Ben Tre. Pick up at Phong Nam Pier (Phong Nam old ferry station). Take the boat on along the River – one of tributaries of Mekong River, Sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring…. Stop at brickwork – coconut charcoal making and coconut husking. Then visit one of the plenty of coconut processing workshops where coconut candies are made and have a chance to learn the coconut candies making process located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family making sleep mats. Afterward, being on a cart powered by a motorbike or biking and traveling through some tranquil villages where vegetables gardens to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, take biking around the village, rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat to Hung Vuong Pier. Then take a car to Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho, check in hotel and free timeMeals: BreakfastDAY 11: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY
Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to visit Cai Rang floating market which are the liveliest in the whole religion. Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, check in hotel and free time.Meals: Breakfast, DinnerDAY 12: HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE
You have free time in the morning until your private car arrives to take you to the airport for your next destination.Overnight at hotelMeals: Breakfast
SURCHARGE FOR FLIGHT TICKET
Note: Subject to be changed without prior noticed
- From Hanoi (HAN) to Hue (HUI): US$ 113 per person
- From Da Nang (DAN) to Ho Chi Minh (SGN): US$ 64 per person
IMPORTANT NOTE:
• All prices are quoted in USD/ per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy
• Supplement for standard Vietnamese menu meals: US$ 14 for lunch & US$ 18 for dinner in case you need to book more meals.
• Private services & daily departure
• Quotation is quoted based on English speaking guide: Surcharge for other guide
• Surcharge for Compulsory dinner for Xmas and New Year Eve
• Surcharge for Peak Season at above mentioned hotels (if have)
• Surcharge for Vietnamese Lunar (TET) New Year
FREE OFFER
• Mineral water is available during transfers
•Vietnam visa approval letter on arrival (this fees isn’t refundable even clients don’t need)
TOUR INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodation in shared twin room with air-condition (AC) and private bathroom (Check in time: 14.00/ Check out time: 12.00)
- 2D1N Halong bay cruise
- Experienced English speaking guide
- Meals as stated in the programme B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
- Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles
- All entrance fees, boat fees and / or cyclo fees as mentioned in the programme
- Drinking water and cold towels available on the vehicles
Tour Exclusions
- International and Domestic flights (quoted separately, if requested)
- Surcharges for other language guides
- Surcharges for night-time services, especially applied for transfers with arrivals after 23:00 hrs and arrivals or departures before 06:00 hrs.
- Surcharges for Lunar New Year (TET) holiday, Peak season and Compulsory Gala Dinner (TBA at booking time)
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.
- Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme
- Drinks with meals
- Visa
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme
- Tips
