Highlights Of Viet Nam I 11 Days 10 Nights | North To South Vietnam

DETAILED ITINERARY:

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL (MEALS: NOT INCLUDED)
Arrive in Hanoi and be welcomed by the guide before transferring to the hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Road distance: approx. 35 km
Road transfer time: approx. 45 minutes
Main experiences: airport arrival, transfer, leisure time

DAY 2: FULL DAY CITY TOUR HANOI (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)
This morning, the tour begins with a drive past historic Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam’s independence in 1945. The driver then drops guests at Lenin Garden for an easy walk through a communal green space before continuing through alleyways and family-run sewing streets where traditional local life is still very much present.

Proceed to the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in Vietnam’s past as both a temple and a university. If interested, guests may stop in the last courtyard where traditional Vietnamese musical instruments contribute to the atmosphere, and musicians may have the opportunity to try a few notes under the guidance of local artists.

Afterwards, continue to the Museum of Ethnology, an important research center and public museum dedicated to Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Later, embark on a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where ancient commercial street names still reflect the crafts and businesses of the past. Stop at Thuong Tra tea house, tucked inside an old apartment building, to learn about the role of tea in Vietnamese society while enjoying a cup of tea.

Continue with a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and finish the day with a traditional water puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese performance art.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Main experiences: Ba Dinh area, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Old Quarter, tea culture, Hoan Kiem Lake, water puppet show
Walking level: light to moderate
Note: routes may be adjusted depending on client interest

Temple of Literature

DAY 3: HANOI - NINH BINH - HANOI (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)
Depart the hotel in the morning for a drive through the rural landscapes of northern Vietnam to Ninh Binh Province, known for its dramatic scenery and historical sites.

Upon arrival, begin a leisurely cycling trip of 5 to 15 km, depending on preference, around Tho Ha village and nearby peaceful countryside. Continue to Dong Tam Hamlet to take part in engaging agricultural activities such as catching crabs, fishing, transplanting rice, watering vegetables and more.

After lunch, board a sampan for a 1.5-hour boat trip along a small canal among the rice fields. Continue on foot along a winding rocky path and climb a short series of steps to reach Galaxy Cave. Inside, admire the striking stalactites above before continuing to But Hien Cave and then returning along the same route.

Return to Hanoi at the end of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Road distance: approx. 100 km each way
Road transfer time: approx. 2 to 2.5 hours each way
Main experiences: cycling, agricultural activities, sampan ride, cave visit
Note: cycling distance can be adjusted according to guest preference

Ninh Binh

DAY 4: HANOI - HALONG BAY (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)
After breakfast, leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. The journey takes around 3 hours 30 minutes, including a short stop on the way.

Arrive at the jetty around midday and complete check-in formalities. After the welcome onboard, lunch is served while the cruise begins its journey into Halong Bay.

In the afternoon, guests may enjoy visits and activities depending on each boat’s itinerary, or simply relax on board.

Towards the end of the day, the boat anchors for the night among the limestone karsts. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Halong Bay.

Road distance: approx. 160 km
Road transfer time: approx. 3 hours 30 minutes
Main experiences: transfer, cruise, sightseeing or leisure on the bay

Cruise on Ha Long Bay

DAY 5: HALONG BAY - DANANG - HOI AN (MEALS: BREAKFAST)
The sun rises over Halong Bay as the cruise slowly returns to port. Breakfast or brunch is served on board, depending on the vessel.

After disembarkation, transfer to Hanoi or Haiphong Airport for a short flight to Danang. On arrival, continue with a 40-minute drive to Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Main experiences: morning cruise, domestic flight, transfer to Hoi An
Note: the Halong program may be adjusted depending on weather conditions

DAY 6: HOI AN (MEALS: BREAKFAST)
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An, a charming destination with two distinct faces: the old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and a living heritage town that has preserved its atmosphere across centuries. Visit former merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market.

In the afternoon, take a short drive to Cua Dai Estuary. Upon arrival at Duy Hai Fishing Village, explore the bustling fish market and visit a family-run fish sauce workshop to learn more about one of the most essential ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine.

Then board a boat and travel upstream along the Thu Bon River toward Duy Vinh Village, known for traditional sedge mat weaving. Depending on the season, guests may see golden rice fields during harvest or green groves of jute along the riverbanks. Upon arrival at Ban Thach Mat Village, begin a cycling journey to discover a typical central Vietnamese village and learn the full process of sedge mat weaving. The experience ends with a simple but friendly home-hosted brunch before cycling back to Hoi An across Cam Kim Bridge.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Main experiences: Hoi An Ancient Town, fish market, fish sauce workshop, river boat, village cycling, sedge mat weaving
Walking and cycling level: light to moderate
Note: afternoon arrangements may vary depending on season and guest interest

Hoi An Ancient Town

DAY 7: HOI AN - HUE (MEALS: BREAKFAST)
Enjoy the morning at leisure before leaving Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

Hue’s tombs, mausoleums and Citadel offer insight into the lives of the last emperors of Vietnam and the ceremonial world of the Nguyen Dynasty. Despite the scars of war, the Citadel continues to reflect grace, history and imperial character.

Overnight in Hue.

Road distance: approx. 150 km
Road transfer time: approx. 3 hours
Main experiences: leisure morning and overland transfer to Hue

DAY 8: FULL DAY HUE CITY TOUR (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)
This morning, depart for a city tour of ancient Hue. Begin at the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here, enjoy a cyclo ride through the old city and stop at the Tran Dinh Son private museum, which houses a remarkable collection of royal household items and offers insight into how imperial family traditions are preserved today.

Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, one of Hue’s most iconic religious sites. Lunch is served at a local restaurant featuring authentic Hue cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit Minh Mang’s Tomb, set in a peaceful landscape of gardens and ponds and inspired by Confucian principles of harmony and symmetry. Then continue to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, known for its unusual blend of traditional Vietnamese architecture and European influences.

Overnight in Hue.

Main experiences: Imperial Citadel, cyclo ride, private museum, Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb
Walking level: light to moderate
Note: route may be adjusted depending on client interest

Minh Mang’s Tomb

DAY 9: HUE - HO CHI MINH CITY (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)
After breakfast, transfer to Hue Airport for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still often called Saigon by local residents.

The city visit begins at Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace and one of the most important landmarks of modern Vietnamese history. Continue with a walk through the colonial quarter, admiring the Opera House, City Hall and the old Saigon Post Office while learning about the legacy of French Indochina and its influence on modern Vietnamese culture.

Then visit the War Remnants Museum for an insightful and sobering look into Vietnam’s military history and the country’s struggle for independence.

To end the day, step away from the typical sightseeing route and visit a local Vietnamese coffee shop to enjoy coffee in the way locals do before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Main experiences: domestic flight, Reunification Hall, colonial quarter, War Remnants Museum, Vietnamese coffee culture
Walking level: light to moderate

The Reunification Palace

DAY 10: HO CHI MINH CITY - MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH CITY (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)
This morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City behind for a drive south to Ben Tre, known as the land of coconuts in the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, board a local boat for a first glimpse into the maze of waterways that define delta life. Cruise along the river to observe river transport, coconut-processing facilities and daily life along the banks.

The program includes stops at handmade brick kilns, coconut shell charcoal kilns and workshops where various stages of coconut preparation can be seen. Guests also visit a coconut candy workshop, where warm candy can be tasted fresh from the oven, together with seasonal fruits, honey tea and fresh coconut water.

Continue to a mat weaving village in Nhon Thanh, then take either a buggy or a bicycle along the village road to the rowing boat pier. From there, enjoy a rowing boat ride through a peaceful coconut water canal.

Lunch is served at a riverside restaurant. After lunch, return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon depending on traffic.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Road distance: approx. 100 km each way
Road transfer time: approx. 2 hours each way
Main experiences: local boat, coconut workshops, village visit, buggy or bicycle, rowing boat, Mekong Delta experience

Ben Tre

DAY 11: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE (MEALS: BREAKFAST)
Departure day. Time is at leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the onward flight.

Main experiences: leisure time and departure transfer

***END OF SERVICES***

SERVICES

✅ WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
• Meals as mentioned in the program
• English or French-speaking guide
• Other languages and a national guide can be arranged on request with applicable supplements
• Private air-conditioned vehicle as mentioned in the itinerary
• Tours and transfers as mentioned in the program
• Entrance fees for the visits included in the program
• Boat trip as mentioned in the itinerary

❌ WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals other than those mentioned in the program
• Services other than those mentioned in the program
• International and domestic flights
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and other personal expenditure
• Tips
• Travel insurance

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance, including emergency medical evacuation coverage, for trips to Vietnam.
• Prices are valid for 30 days from the date of offer. After this period, prices and conditions may be readjusted.
• Air ticket costs are subject to change without prior notice by the airlines.
• Reservations during peak periods such as Christmas, New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year and national holidays may be subject to supplementary charges.
• Hotel rooms are generally available from 14:00 on the arrival day until 12:00 on the departure day. A supplement may apply for early check-in or late check-out.
• Please note that all services and tours above are currently proposed for reference only, and no reservations will be made before we receive your confirmation.
• If one or more proposed services are not available at the time of booking, we will try to find alternative options or similar services in order to avoid major changes to the program.
• Sightseeing arrangements, outdoor activities, domestic flights and cruise operations may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, flight schedules and actual operating arrangements.