Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive at Noi Bai Airport and head to your hotel in central Hanoi, which takes about 40 minutes. Depending on when you land, you'll either have a full or half-day to explore. The Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the lakeside temples are all on your radar for this first day.
Included Activities
- Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
- Temple of Literature visit
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum visit
- Ho Chi Minh Stilt House visit
- Government Palace visit
- One Pillar Pagoda visit
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theater traditional show
Optional Activities
- Tran Quoc Temple visit at Hoan Kiem Lake
- Ngoc Son Temple visit at lakeside
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám) Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh Stilt House One Pillar Pagoda Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Tran Quoc Temple Ngoc Son Temple - Day 2
Ha Long Bay
After driving to Bai Chay harbour, you'll board a traditional junk boat and cruise through Ha Long Bay. The limestone karst mountains and caves are what everyone comes to see here. You can swim, kayak, or explore caves depending on conditions. Fresh seafood lunch and dinner happen on the boat, and you'll sleep in your cabin overnight.
- Meals
- Lunch (Fresh seafood lunch on junk boat), Dinner (Fresh seafood dinner on junk boat)
Included Activities
- Drive to Bai Chay harbour
- Junk boat cruise through Ha Long Bay
- Visit Wooden Grotto (Hang Đầu Gỗ)
- Visit Heaven Cave (Động Thiên Cung)
- Visit Surprising Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt)
- Swimming or kayaking activities (weather dependent)
- Cave exploring activities (weather dependent)
- Seafood lunch
- Seafood dinner
Optional Activities
- Drinks on deck under the stars
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay Wooden Grotto (Hang Đầu Gỗ) Heaven Cave (Động Thiên Cung) Surprising Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt) - Day 3
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi to Hue
Breakfast comes before your morning sail back to Bai Chay port. From there, a private van takes you back to Hanoi with time to walk around the city. Later in the evening, you'll board an overnight train heading south to Hue.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board junk boat)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board junk boat
- Morning sail back to port
- Private van transfer to Hanoi
- Free time exploring Hanoi
- Day 4
Hue
You'll arrive early in Hue, the former imperial capital. Start at Thien Mu Pagoda, then check out the Imperial Citadel and Royal Tombs. A vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery is available if you're interested. During your free time, consider a motorbike tour through countryside rice paddies and villages, or explore Hue's local specialties at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Imperial Citadel tour
- Royal Tombs visit
Optional Activities
- Vegetarian lunch at local nunnery
- Motorbike countryside tour
- Local Hue specialty food experiences (banh khoai, banh bot loc boc tom thit, Hue beer)
Landmarks/POIs Thien Mu Pagoda Imperial Citadel Forbidden Purple City Royal Tombs - Day 5
Hue to Hoi An
The morning involves exploring the Imperial Citadel before heading towards Hoi An. You'll cross the scenic Hai Van Pass if weather cooperates, and the views stretch out in all directions. Arriving in Hoi An during the afternoon gives you free time to start exploring this historic town.
Included Activities
- Imperial Citadel tour
- Private vehicle transfer from Hue to Hoi An crossing Hai Van Pass
Optional Activities
- Free exploration time in Hoi An
- Cooking class
- Riverboat trip
- Bike ride
- Beach time
- Tailor visit
- My Son Holy Land visit
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Citadel Hai Van Pass - Day 6
Hoi An
You've got a full day in Hoi An with half your time set aside for whatever interests you most. That could mean discovering local culture, relaxing on the beach, visiting tailor shops, or something else entirely. Staff will help you sort out your best options based on what you're looking for.
Included Activities
- Half day free time in Hoi An
Optional Activities
- Hoi An Cooking Class - learn Vietnamese cooking and shop at local market
- Bike Rental
- My Son Excursion - visit Hindu temples built between 4th-14th centuries (approximately one hour from Hoi An)
- Life Start Lantern Making - traditional lantern crafting at Lifestart Foundation
- Tailor Shops - custom clothing and handmade items
Landmarks/POIs My Son Lifestart Foundation - Day 7
Hoi An
This entire day is yours to spend however you want in Hoi An. Whether you prefer wandering the old town, trying local food, heading to the beach, or just sitting in a café, the schedule is completely open.
Optional Activities
- Full day free exploration of Hoi An
- Hoi An Cooking Class
- Bike Rental
- My Son Excursion
- Life Start Lantern Making
- Tailor Shops
- Beach activities
- Cultural exploration
- Day 8
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll transfer to Da Nang Airport for a one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling commercial hub down south. After landing, you'll start exploring the city's small alleys and busy streets. The pacing gives you time to adjust and get a feel for the place.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Da Nang Airport
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Optional Activities
- Exploration of local streets, alleys, laquerware shops, and food stalls
- Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City
A guided tour takes you to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Vietnam War and see what the Viet Cong actually used underground. If you're up for it, you can crawl through some of the tunnels yourself. Back in Ho Chi Minh City, your afternoon and evening are free to explore temples, markets, and historical sites at your own speed.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cu Chi Tunnels
Optional Activities
- Thien Hau Pagoda visit
- Giac Vien Pagoda visit
- Ben Thanh Market exploration
- Reunification Palace visit
- Cholon (Chinese Quarter) exploration
- War Remnants Museum visit
- Free time afternoon exploration
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels Thien Hau Pagoda Giac Vien Pagoda Ben Thanh Market Reunification Palace Cholon War Remnants Museum - Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City Departure
You'll check out of your hotel by noon and transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight. That's where your Vietnam trip wraps up.
Included Activities
- Hotel checkout
- Transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport
