Overview
Tour this fascinating country with a 12-day highlights of Vietnam tour. From the capital city Hanoi, to the ethnic minorities in Mai Chau, cruise Halong Bay and visit charming Hoi An. In the south, discover Saigon and take a cruise on the Mekong Delta.
Trip Highlights
- ✓Soaking up the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with an evening street eats crawl.
- ✓Trekking in Mai Chau and meeting welcoming ethnic minority Thai people.
- ✓Spending time on a beautifully restored junk boat in romantic Halong Bay.
- ✓Visiting the imperial city of Hue and enjoying a Perfume River boat cruise.
- ✓Strolling through the lantern-filled streets and riverside promenade of Hoi An Ancient Town.
- ✓Feeling the metropolitan pulse of Ho Chi Minh City and cruising the Mekong Delta.
Interactive Journey Map
Day-by-Day Itinerary
North Vietnam
Day 1
Arrive in Hanoi - Evening Street Eats
Welcome to Vietnam! Meet with your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, head on a culinary adventure sampling street food in the Old Quarter. Start at Bia Hoi Corner to sample local draft beer, then continue through narrow streets tasting beef skewers, woks, noodle dishes and dessert at Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 2
Hanoi Heritage & Culture Tour
Begin your journey to the highlights of Hanoi, starting with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Next, head to the 1000-year-old Temple of Literature. Dine on a traditional Vietnamese lunch at Home Restaurant in Truc Bach Lake. Spend the afternoon walking through the Old Quarter's 36 streets, sip Vietnamese coffee overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple, and enjoy a traditional water puppet show.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 3
Hanoi to Mai Chau Valley Escape
Depart Hanoi for a scenic 4-hour drive to the beautiful Mai Chau Valley. Arrive at Mai Chau Lodge, enjoy lunch, then take a relaxing walk to the Thai ethnic minority villages of Pom Coong and Lac. Explore the natural Mo Luong Cave and enjoy an evening dinner followed by traditional hill tribe dancing.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Mai Chau Lodge. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 4
Mai Chau Valley Biking - Return to Hanoi
Start a refreshing valley biking tour passing through charming local villages, lush rice paddies and peaceful countryside. Get to watch traditional farming up close and peek into local stilt houses. Return to the lodge to refresh before transferring back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 5
Halong Bay Luxury Junk Boat Cruise
Travel from Hanoi to the seaside port of Halong Bay. Board the L'Azalee Deluxe junk boat, cruising past the towering limestone karsts. Visit a local Pearl Farm, kayak in the secluded Kiem Lam Bay within Cat Ba National Park, and enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the chef as the sun sets.
Accommodation listed in the sample: L'Azalee Deluxe Cruise Junk. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 6
Halong Bay - Transfer to Hanoi - Fly to Hue
Motor towards Surprise Cave, the biggest and most spectacular cave in Halong Bay. Explore its massive limestone chambers. Return to the port and transfer to Hanoi airport for an evening flight to the imperial city of Hue. Meet your guide in Hue and check in to your hotel.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Azerai La Residence Hue. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Central Vietnam
Day 7
Hue Imperial City & Royal Tombs
Float down the peaceful Perfume River by boat. Visit the majestic royal tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Minh Mang. Feast on a traditional vegetarian lunch prepared by Buddhist nuns at Dong Thuyen Pagoda. In the afternoon, visit Thanh Tien paper flower village and Tha Om Garden House to meet its royal heritage owner.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Azerai La Residence Hue. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 8
Hai Van Pass Coastal Drive - Hoi An Walking Tour
Drive south to Hoi An over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, the most scenic coastal road in Vietnam. In the afternoon, explore Hoi An Ancient Town on foot. Visit Chua Ong Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky ancestral house, and the iconic 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge. Conclude with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Anantara Hoi An Resort. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 9
Free Day in Hoi An Ancient Town
A completely free day to relax and enjoy the resort, stroll the lantern-lit streets, visit a local tailor for custom boutique clothing, or cycle to the nearby An Bang beach.
Accommodation listed in the sample: Anantara Hoi An Resort. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
South Vietnam
Day 10
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City - Historic Saigon Tour
Transfer to Danang airport for a flight to Saigon. Start your afternoon tour of Ho Chi Minh City with the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office built by Gustave Eiffel, walk down historic Dong Khoi street, and finish with a speedboat ride through the city's ancient canals.
Accommodation listed in the sample: The Reverie Saigon. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 11
Mekong Delta Cruise on Le Jarai Teak Boat
Drive to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat winding through local canals, visit a brick factory and a home-made coconut processing plant. Hop on a local tuk-tuk (xe loi) to the pier, then board the beautiful teak cruise boat Le Jarai. Enjoy a 3-course lunch of Mekong delicacies on board before returning to Saigon.
Accommodation listed in the sample: The Reverie Saigon. Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
Day 12
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your private guide transfers you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation listed in the sample: None (Departure). Confirm the property and room category in your proposal.
📍 Expedition Planning & Practical Info
Best Time to Travel
Weather differs between the north, central coast and south. Compare travel months before choosing your dates.
What to Pack
Pack lightweight linen clothing for walking. Smart casual attire is recommended for dining at luxury hotels. Don't forget sun protection and comfortable walking shoes.
Practical Info
UK passport holders require a visa for stays exceeding 45 days. Local currency is VND, though credit cards are widely accepted at all pre-selected luxury establishments.
Plan with VietnamTours travel team
Discuss the route, accommodation and pace with our team. Your proposal will confirm the arrangements available for your dates.
Direct Phone: +84988600388
Email: info@vietnamtours.co.uk
Trip Details
- Pacing:Relaxed / Luxury
- Primary currency:£ GBP (UK Market)
- Best Season:Oct to Apr