Vietnam Highlights from North to South 12 Days

Morning: Free time

12:30 Our tour guide and driver pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and take you for lunch. We then begin our adventure.

Visit Hanoi Opera House – the biggest theatre in Vietnam. This is an important historical and architectural landmark in Hanoi.

Next in the tour, we pass by Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – a sacred place where President Ho Chi Minh remained after he passed away. You will be introduced to his accomplishments and interesting stories.

Following, we will visit the “hidden charm” banana island, about 3,5 kilometers from the city center, where you can meet and chat with local people to know about their lives.

On the way, not only can you get beautiful views from the back of the jeep, you will also experience the real Hanoi with slices of life in the maze of backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, random markets, all creating a busy and lively city.

08:00 Get picked up by our tour guide and depart for Ninh Binh. On the way, you will have a short break of 15-20 minutes to relax.

10:15 Arrive in Ninh Binh. Our first location is Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Here, you will learn interesting historical facts about Ninh Binh and Vietnam under the Dinh – Le – Ly Dynasties.

Then, we will go cycling around the village for sightseeing & discovering the life of the local people.

12:00 Stop at the restaurant for a delicious buffet lunch.

13:30 Visit Tam Coc – one of the most beautiful landscape spots in Ninh Binh. On a bamboo boat ride along the river, you will be surprised by the charming beauty of rice fields and stunning water caves. Tam Coc also has the reputation of “Halong Bay on land”.

15:00 Get on the bus to return to Hanoi.

17:30 Get dropped off at your place in Hanoi. The rest of the day is free time.

08:00 The tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Halong Bay. Along the ride, we will have a quick stop to refresh.

11:30 Arrive at Tuan Chau International Marina. You can relax at the waiting lounge before getting transferred to the cruise.

12:15 Onboard and check in to your cabin. Then, you will gather at the restaurant as the cruise manager goes through the safety instructions and the activities of the day.

13:00 Have a delicious buffet lunch with fresh seafood dishes and traditional Vietnamese food. You can enjoy the view of a thousand islands outside the window as the boat cruises towards the heart of Halong Bay.

14:45 Visit Luon Cave or Pearl Farm. Here, you can choose to kayak or go on a bamboo boat ride to explore around.

16:00 Our next stop is Titop Island, where you can relax on the beach or hike to the top of Titop mountain to see the beautiful panoramic view of the bay.

17:30 Return to the cruise. On the sundeck, you can enjoy a sunset party with fellow travelers.

18:30 Join a fun Vietnamese cooking class with the help of our chef and staff. You will learn how to make easy but delicious traditional dishes like spring rolls.

19:00 Savour a wonderful dinner at the restaurant.

20:30 After dinner, it’s free time for you to relax in your room, have a massage, enjoy a cocktail, or go squid fishing on the deck.

Overnight on the cruise.

06:00 Warm up your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck while taking in the morning Halong Bay scenery.

07:00 Have a light breakfast buffet at the restaurant.

08:00 The adventure today is at Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprising Cave, one of the biggest caves in Ha Long Bay. This place has an impressive stalactite system that will definitely surprise you.

09:30 Back on the cruise, you will check out and gather at the restaurant to have a delicious brunch.

10:00 The cruise comes back to the port. You can admire the breathtaking view of Halong Bay for the last time.

10:45 Disembark at the port, get on the bus and return to Hanoi.

You will have free time for the rest of the day.

Pick up from your hotel and go to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Da Nang.

We will wait for you at Da Nang airport and take you to the hotel. You will check in and have time to rest or explore the city yourself.

Morning: Leisure time

12:30 Pick you from your hotel and start the journey today in Cam Thanh Village. Here, you will go on a boat ride through the coconut forest and see exciting basket-boat performances.

14:30 The next stop is Hoi An Ancient Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its important cultural and architectural heritage.

You will enjoy a traditional art performance to learn more about local folklore and music. Then, we will join a walking tour to visit the Museum of Trade Ceramics, the 200-year-old Tan Ky Ancient House, and the Cantonese Assembly Hall – popular destinations in Hoi An that have impressive architecture.

Finally, we will stop by the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An’s most recognizable landmarks.

In the evening, you will have free time to explore the town, then have dinner with Hoi An signature dishes.

18:30 Enjoy a boat ride on Hoai River and release the flower lanterns.

19:00 Finish the tour in Hoi An, head back to Da Nang.

20:30 Drop off at your hotel in Da Nang.

07:30 Have breakfast at your hotel in Da Nang, then you will be picked up and transferred to Cua Dai Harbor.

09:00 Take a speed boat to Cham Islands. You can enjoy the refreshing air and cool wind on the way.

09:30 Arriving at Lang Beach on Cham Islands. We will visit the best spots around this village: the Marine Protected Area, the Boat Shelter, Hai Tang Pagoda, and the Traditional Fishing Village.

10:00 With the guide of a local expert, you will have a 45-minute swimming and snorkeling session to explore the wonderful waters of Da Nang.

11:30 Enjoy lunch at Bai Ong Ecological Zone.

14:00 Prepare to return to Da Nang.

15:00 Seeing you off at your hotel. You will have free time in the afternoon and evening.

10:00 Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Ba Na Hill

You will go to the complex by cable car, where you can see beautiful views of Da Nang from above. Reaching the first station, you can explore popular attractions: Golden Bridge, Le Jardin D’amour Gardens, and Linh Ung Pagoda.

Next on the trip is the French Village, where you can stroll through European-inspired architecture and enjoy lively street music.

We will stop and have a buffet lunch at the restaurant inside Ba Na Hills.

After that, you will take the Lava Train to see fun check-in spots and enjoy the Fantasy Park with many exciting games.

17:00 Return to the cable car and leave Ba Na Hills. The bus will bring you back to your Da Nang hotel.

Evening: Free time to explore the city.

Check out your Da Nang hotel. We will take you to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

There, we will wait for you at the airport and take you to the hotel. You will check in and have time to rest or explore the city yourself.

08:00 Pick up from your hotel and travel to the Reunification Palace where we will start the adventure today. Here, you will be introduced to this iconic historical site, which once served as the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Viet Nam.

Next, we will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both well-known for their elegant architecture. 

Continuing to the War Remnants Museum, you can see a collection of exhibits and artifacts that tell stories about the impacts of the wars in Viet Nam.

Then, we will have a short drive to Ben Thanh Market. Established in the early 20th century, the market is renowned for its lively local atmosphere. Here, you can go through its bustling aisles and buy traditional handicrafts, textiles, and a wide range of souvenirs.

At midday, you will enjoy an authentic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we continue the journey to Saigon Cho Lon Town, home to the Hoa ethnic community. We will visit Thien Hau Temple and Quan Am Pagoda, famous for its intricate architecture and rich spiritual traditions.

17:30 Conclude the day with a visit to Binh Tay Market before returning to your hotel.

07:45 Depart from your hotel to the Cu Chi Tunnels – one of the most important historic sites in Ho Chi Minh City.

Here, you will explore the extensive underground tunnel network to experience the lives of Vietnamese soldiers and learn wartime history. We will also visit other iconic spots such as the Hoang Cam smokeless kitchen, the field hospital, living quarters…

For lunch, we will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch and take a short break before continuing the trip.

In the afternoon, we will depart for My Tho City and take a boat ride along the Mekong River. Along the canals, you will discover rich agricultural landscapes and witness the daily life of local people.

Then, you can try some delicacies like honey tea, seasonal fruits, and coconut candy – while enjoying a performance of Đờn Ca Tài Tử, the traditional folk music of Southern Vietnam.

At the end of the day, we will return to Ho Chi Minh City and drop you off at your hotel.

Check out of the hotel. We will take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport.

The trip ends here. Thank you for traveling with us!