14 Days of Vietnam: A Comprehensive North to South Experience

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted by our representative and transferred to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore at your leisure.

• Overnight: Hanoi
• Meals: None
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle

After a delightful breakfast, start your Hanoi exploration with a full-day city tour. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum, Uncle Ho’s former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university, founded in 1070.

In the afternoon, explore the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing life-size exhibits of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities. Enjoy an hour-long cyclo ride through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, and end your day with a traditional water puppet performance.

• Overnight: Hanoi
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, the morning is yours to explore at your own pace. At 11:00 AM, join a street food tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter with an expert local guide. Learn about Vietnamese food culture, ingredients, and the history of popular northern dishes. Sample famed Hanoi dishes at local eateries and observe local life in the historic streets.

• Overnight: Hanoi
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: None

After breakfast, depart for Halong Bay with a refreshment break en route. Board a traditional wooden junk, enjoy lunch, and sail towards secluded islands. Visit ancient limestone caves, go sea kayaking and swimming if the weather permits. Relax on deck with a drink as you watch the sunset, followed by a freshly prepared seafood dinner under the stars.

• Overnight: Wooden junk in Halong Bay
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
• Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Start the day with an early morning swim (weather permitting) followed by breakfast. Visit a famous cave in the bay before cruising back to the main harbor. Drive to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi for a late afternoon flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

• Overnight: Hoi An
• Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat, Plane

Meet your guide at 9:00 AM for a walking tour of Hoi An’s old town. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, a museum, and the local market. Enjoy the diverse architecture influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French, and European styles. The afternoon is free for you to explore or shop at your leisure.

• Overnight: Hoi An
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle

Spend the day in Hoi An as you wish. Options include exploring the World Heritage architecture, visiting My Son Cham ruins, attending a cooking class, joining a farming and fishing tour, or taking a photography tour. You can also opt for a day trip to Cu Lao Cham Island for snorkeling and relaxing.

• Overnight: Hoi An
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: None

Enjoy a free morning in Hoi An. In the afternoon, drive north to Hue, stopping to visit the Cham Museum or Marble Mountain. Continue the scenic route to Hue, with views of the coastline and Danang from Hai Van Pass.

• Overnight: Hue
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour of Hue, starting with the ancient walled Citadel and the former Imperial Palace. Visit the Dong Ba market and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, cruise the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and visit the Royal Tomb of King Minh Mang or King Khai Dinh.

• Overnight: Hue
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle

Optional: Consider a candle-lit dinner at a traditional garden house, a unique cultural experience in Hue.

After breakfast, drive to Phu Bai airport for an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, drive to Cu Chi Tunnels. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant and explore the extensive underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by 6:00 PM.

• Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle, Plane

Start your guided city tour with the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Old Post Office. In the afternoon, explore Chinatown with a walking tour, visit Thien Hau Temple, and delve into Cholon and Binh Tay Market (or Ben Thanh market).

• Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle

Depart at 8:00 AM for a two-hour drive to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip on Ben Tre River, visit a brickwork, coconut processing workshop, and a family mat-making workshop. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant, then take a motor-cart ride through village paths. After lunch, row along water palm creeks and return to the pier. Transfer to Can Tho for overnight.

• Overnight: Can Tho
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Take a half-hour boat cruise to Cai Rang floating market to experience the unique market culture. Visit a fruit garden and return to Can Tho. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City with lunch en route, arriving in the late afternoon.

• Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Note: Cai Rang market is busiest from sunrise to 6:00 AM