12 Days Exotic North to South of Vietnam
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This 12-day itinerary takes travelers through Vietnam’s most captivating destinations, from the cultural heart of Hanoi to the stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay, the mystical caves of Phong Nha, the imperial city of Hue, the charming town of Hoi An, and the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City. The journey offers a mix of history, nature, adventure, and cultural experiences.
Highlights:
- Cruise in Ha Long Bay – Overnight stay on a cruise, surrounded by limestone karsts.
- Paradise Cave Exploration – Discover one of Vietnam’s most stunning caves in Phong Nha.
- Imperial Hue Tour – Visit the Citadel, royal tombs, and historic landmarks of Vietnam’s former capital.
- Scenic Train Ride to Da Nang – Enjoy breathtaking coastal views on one of Vietnam’s most beautiful train routes.
- Hoi An Ancient Town – Explore lantern-lit streets, historic houses, and riverside markets.
- Mekong Delta Discovery – Experience the floating markets, local villages, and lush waterways of southern Vietnam.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
- Private airport transfer
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Flight ticket from Hanoi to Dong Hoi and Da Nang- Ho Chi Minh with 20kg check-in and 7kg carried
- Group local based English-speaking guide and transfer on tours
- Private car from Dong Hoi to Hue with driver only
- Entrance fees for mentioned visits
- Service charges and government VAT tax
- 1 bottle of water per day (at hotel or on tour)
- Visa stamp fee
- Other meals than mentioned in the itinerary
- International flight into and out of Vietnam
- Laundry, telephone calls
- Expenditure of personal expenses
- Gratuities for tour guides/drivers
- Travel insurance
Tour Plan
Day 1: Hanoi arrival - Private airport transfer - Check in hotel in Old town (No meal)
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly driver and transferred to your hotel in the charming Old Quarter. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and explore at your leisure.
You will have our driver ready waiting for your outside the terminal whenever you arrive, please free to choose any time that fits your schedule.
Please do call S Vietnam Adventures if you can not find our driver at 0084 84 579 4384 in which we are always available on WhatsApp.
Please note:
– Standard check-in time is from 2:00 PM.
– Early check-in can be arranged upon request for an additional fee.
Meals: No meal
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Overnight on cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Morning: Having Breakfast at the hotel, check out and be ready for the tour pick up.
The pick up time depending on hotel location, which will be reconfirmed on Day 1.
8h00- 8h45: Tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter.
10h15: Have a short break on half way for 20 minutes to relax.
12h00: Arrive to Tuan Chau Harbor.
12h30: Welcome to Cruise and Enjoy welcome to drink and get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check- in your room with Air-Conditioning.
13h00: Enjoy a special lunch with Vietnamese traditional dishes, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
Afternoon Itinerary:
15h00: Visiting Sung Sot Cave (Surprising cave).
16h00: Our cruise will take you to the Titop/Soi Sim Island. It is noted for having a viewpoint at its peak which affords splendid views all around Halong Bay or you can enjoy your swimming on romance sandy beach.
17h30: Come back to Cruise then take a shower, Relax on sundeck, sunset watching in comfortable lounge chairs while drinking a cocktail or reading a book in the most magical moment.
18h00: Enjoy welcome Sunset Party and Cooking Class. How to make fresh noodle roll, you can enjoy product which you make it.
Evening Relaxing:
19h00: Enjoy your dinner when sitting by overlooking sea view window in the night romantic Bay
20h30: Playing some sports games like: Squid Fishing, Singing karaoke, or Relax on sundeck
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on boat: Clean air – conditioning room
Day 3: Ha Long Bay - Back to Hanoi - Recheck in hotel (Breakfast, Lunch)
6h00: Wake up in the early morning to see the sunrise on sundeck.
7h00: Morning view of bay with a cup of tea of coffee. Have Buffet Breakfast!
8:00: Luon Cave is one of the most places in Ha Long Bay for Kayaking. If you have a great passion for kayaking, you should not miss Luon Cave. If you don’t want to do kayak that you can seat on a bamboo boat. If you’re lucky, you can catch beautiful pictures with mischievous monkeys running around the cliffs.
9:30 – 10:00: Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay.
10h45: Enjoy the lunch while Cruising back to Tuan Chau Harbour.
12h00: Cruise is landing Ha Long Bay harbor, tourist say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.
12h30: Get on the Bus to return Hanoi by Expressway.
14h30: Stop on half way for short break.
16h00: Arrive at the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Trip ends!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi City tour full day (Breakfast, Lunch)
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has been a place to keep and witness more than 1000 years of a long history.
That is why this place is a solemn ancient city. Visiting around Hanoi, you will see ancient architectures such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Vietnam Ethnology Museum or Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison. All together create an ancient and historic city.
Coming to Hanoi, you not only see the architectural works but also to immerse yourself in the unique culture here
ITINERARY:
8h00 – 8h30: Our Tour guide and our Bus pick up at your hotel and start to discover Hanoi City
08h45: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho. You have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969.
Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.
- Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas, etc.
- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. But still can take picture of the Mausoleum and visit around that area.
- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining.
10h15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.
Special Note: We will visit Vietnamese Women’s Museum instead of Vietnam Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays.
12h30-12h45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Vegeterian foods are available.
13h30: Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century.
14h30: Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam. The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070.
15h30: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, the prison was built by the French, from 1886 to 1901, when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale. The prison was called “A Hell on Earth” and now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.
16h30: Our Bus take you back to the Hotel. We finish the trip!
Optional: Cyclo or/and Water Puppet Show can be arranged upon your request with additional fee.
Note: Please kindly ensure that both men and women wear attire that covers the knees and shoulders, as a visit to a temple is included in the itinerary.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi - Fly to Dong Hoi - Private airport transfer - Check in hotel in Phong Nha (Breakfast)
After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Phong Nha for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the area. Enjoy your time!
Note: Check in time at 14:00 pm, early check in is available with additional cost
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phong Nha
Day 6: Paradise Cave - Private car to Hue - Check in hotel in central (Breakfast, Lunch)
Phong Nha Cave and Paradise cave are the two most famous caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh, Viet Nam. Tour Phong Nha cave and paradise cave open every day. You can choose group tour or private tour.
ITINERARY
8.00AM Pickup and Transportation - The car and the guide will pick you up at the hotel/ train station/ airport…at Dong Hoi city (or Phong Nha town about 9.00 – 9.30 am) 70km from Dong Hoi to Paradise cave
10:00 AM Walking on wooden bridge to enjoy Paradise cave
Paradise cave was discovered by scientists of the British Caving Research Association in 2005, has the length of 31km, the longest dry cave in Asia.
12:00 P.M Time for Lunch
Guests take a break for lunch at the restaurant with specialties of Phong Nha mountains and forests.
14:00 P.M Continue the journey to visit the PhongNha Cave.
Visit Phong Nha Cave is considered "First Cave wonders"
Take a boat about 5km along the Son River to Phong Nha Cave (river cave).
Return to the boat station.
16:30 P.M Vehicle transfer you back to Phong Nha town or Dong Hoi City.
17:30: Take private car to Hue, it takes about 5 hours, check in hotel in Hue
Include:
• Air conditioned round-trip transfers
• Enthusiastic and experienced trail/tour guide.
• Travel insurance (compensation levels 20.000.000 VND/ case)
• Lunch and beverages.
• Entrace ticket : Phong Nha, Paradise cave, boat ticket,buggy ticket…etc
• Private car to Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 7: Hue city tour full day (Breakfast, Lunch)
Hue is located in central Vietnam on the banks of Perfume River.
Thank to the long precious history, Hue has become a special place to visit. Come to Hue, you will enjoy the green place, clean environment, delicious food and travel many famous landscapes. Let us help you discover Hue city.
Tour itinerary:
Pick up guests at Hue city center hotels from 8h to 8h30 (If you hotel is far from the center will have a surcharge for transportation to the center and back to your hotel, so please send me your hotel address when you book the tour)
Morning:
• Thien Mu pagoda ( boat trip 1 way)
• Imperial Citadel
• Dong Ba Market
• Lunch at local home with local food. After lunch, experience learning how to make fruit cakes from green beans, have relax time with herbal foot bath, enjoy royal tea and feed Koi fish.
Afternoon:
• Khai Dinh King’s Tomb
• Minh Mang King’s Tomb
• Conical hat village and incense stick workshop ( practical experience with making conical hats and incense sticks).
4h- 5h pm: Back to your hotel. Tour ends.
Inclusions:
ransfer with A/C, dragon boat trip, Vietnamese-English speaking guide, lunch, entrance fees, fee for learning how to make fruit cakes from green beans, food for Koi fish, 2 mineral water, royal tea, foot bath, wet tissue, insurance and donation for charity.
Exclusions:
Drinking at lunch time, gratuities, personal expenses.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 8: Private train transfer - Train to Da Nang - Check in hotel in Hoi An (Breakfast)
After breakfast, You are free the afternoon, you'll be transferred to the train station for your scenic journey to Da Nang. Enjoy the stunning coastal views along the way. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace. Enjoy your stay!
The train is a soft seat with around 3 hours on train. You will pass through Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful passes of Vietnam.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 9: Hoi An city tour, boat ride and release the lantern (Breakfast, Dinner)
About 2:30 pm:
- Our guide will meet you at our hotel in Hoi An City Center and start the Hoi An City Tour.
-Firstly, you’ll visit Hoi An Market which is always bustling. It offers an unmissable shopping experience.
This market is full of sights, colors, sounds and smells. Next to Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings. You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses: Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House – That have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world. After that, going to Museum of Folk Culture in Hoi An - A display of artifacts depicts ancient local daily life in a 150-year-old Chinese merchant house.
Especially, you will enjoy art shows at Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House.
- Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.
- Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.
- Dinner with Hoi An specialty food.
- Enjoy your time with the boat ride and release the flower lantern to pray for luck to you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street.
6.30 pm: Finish Hoi An city tour
About 7.00pm: Our guide will take you back to your hotel in Hoi An. Tour ends.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 10: Da Nang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh city - Private airport transfer - Check in hotel (Breakfast)
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, enjoy some free time until our driver picks you up for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
The remainder of the day is yours to explore the vibrant and bustling Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure.
Note: Standard check-in time is from 2:00 PM. Early check-in is subject to availability and may incur an additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 11: Mekong Delta Discover full day tour (Breakfast, Lunch)
GROUP SIZE: 12 people
PICK UP: 07:30 – 08:00am (the time of pick up depends on customer’s hotel/ accommodation’s exact position).
RETURN: 17:30pm
ROUTE: HCMC – My Tho - Ben Tre – HCMC
Itinerary:
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.
Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.
Have lunch at local restaurant. Break time.
In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. End trip.
***Please note: Drop off time is subject to traffic, weather...so the finished time could be later than expecting.
● Inclusions: A/c van pick up (centrally located hotel in Dist 1), transfer & sightseeing as per program, boat trip in the Mekong delta, English speaking guide, all entrance fees, local lunch with set menu.
● Exclusions: Other food and beverage not mentioned in the program, Personal expenses, travel insurance, tax & tip
NOTE:
● Pick up and transfer just for the centrally located hotel/accommodation in Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
● We are not responsible for your lateness.
● Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat and the tour inclusions. Please advise the supplier if you have from 1 infant at time of booking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh departure - Private airport drop off - Trip ends (Breakfast)
Today, you’ll be heading home, and we hope you’ve had an unforgettable experience. Based on your flight schedule, please kindly provide us with your departure time from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. This will allow us to arrange a comfortable car transfer to the airport for you, ensuring a smooth and stress-free departure.
We wish you a safe and pleasant journey back home, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: No