Best of Vietnam Tour 11 Days: From South to North

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, our driver and tour guide will be at the pickup lobby and take you to the hotel. Throughout the 30-minute journey from the airport to the city center, you will receive a brief introduction to the city’s highlights and share experiences about eating and drinking, traffic, culture, and weather.

When arriving at the hotel, you complete the check-in procedures and rest.

Please note: The check-in time for the hotel is 14:00.

Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s premier destinations:  Independence Palace, the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Binh Tay Market (Chinatown), Quan Am Pagoda, and Fito Museum (Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine).

At 9:00 AM, we will pick you up from the hotel and transport you to the Independence Palace, formerly utilized as the president’s residence and office of South Vietnam. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to view the North Vietnamese tank that played a pivotal role in the palace’s attack in 1975, contributing to the conclusion of the Vietnam War.  Explore the five-story palace with its rooms have been meticulously preserved in the architectural style of the late 1960s to 1970s, including a bunker basement.

Keep strolling towards the Notre Dame Cathedral, a famous structure of the city built by the French colonialists between 1863 and 1880. This cathedral is not only a symbol of Catholicism in Vietnam but also a masterpiece of architecture in the heart of Saigon, attracting many tourists to visit every year.

Continue to stroll towards Nguyen Hue Walking Street to visit the Saigon Central Post Office, a must-visit destination in the city. This impressive building features a classic French architectural style, designed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel. Presently, it continues to operate and offer essential postal services.

Subsequently, we will take a short car ride to explore Binh Tay Market, located in Saigon’s Chinatown. This is one of the largest wholesale markets in the city with hundreds of stalls, serving many different needs in Saigon such as food, clothing, shoes, and souvenirs…You can visit the food court at the market to taste local delicacies and street food.

Our next stop is Quan Am Pagoda, one of the city’s oldest pagodas, which has high cultural and spiritual value. This pagoda has beautiful architecture, surrounded by green trees and lotus ponds, creating a peaceful space in the heart of the busy city. Coming here, visitors will feel the pure and sacred atmosphere.

Finally, visit the Fito Museum (Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) which preserves magic potions, medicinal herb recipes, and unique antique tools.

At the end of the day tour, we will take you back to the hotel.

Traveling to the Mekong Delta, taking a boat trip along the Mekong River, biking in rural areas, and interacting with local people in Ben Tre.

At 8:00 AM, the tour guide and driver will collect you at the hotel and start departing to Ben Tre, a peaceful riverside land in the Mekong Delta renowned for making coconut candy. Upon reaching Hung Vuong Pier, embark on a boat excursion along the Ben Tre River and explore the daily local life. Proceed with the boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh village. You will have a chance to enjoy fresh fruits here.

Take part in a bike ride (or tuk-tuk) along a small winding path through the villages and enjoy beautiful views of coconut groves, vegetable gardens, and vast rice fields. Have lunch and enjoy the elephant ear fish in the village. Take a brief walk to delve deeper into local life.  Subsequently, take a boat ride along the small canal shaded by wild palm trees. Visit Mr. Sau Khanh’s house to admire his collection of ancient objects. Continue cycling through the rice fields and meet with the locals.

In the late afternoon, make your way return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Take a special tour to explore the Cu Chi tunnels, visit the Cao Dai temple, and later fly to Da Nang to go to Hoi An.

8:00 AM, transfer from your hotel to the Cu Chi Tunnels to explore a masterpiece of military architecture of Vietnam during the war.

Cu Chi tunnels are regarded as a unique underground city featuring a large tunnel network spanning over 250km. All tunnels were painstakingly dug over twenty years, using only pickaxes and shovels. In these tunnels, Vietnamese communist soldiers (Viet Cong) and the “Steel Land” inhabitants of Cu Chi conducted a resistance war against American troops. During the tour, you will learn about the tunnel system’s complexity and enter to explore certain parts of the tunnels. Visit Ben Duoc Memorial Temple to commemorate and pay tribute to the Vietnamese who sacrificed their lives at Cu Chi during the war.

The following stop on the tour is the Cao Dai Temple (Tay Ninh Holy Tower). This is the most sacred and important religious temple of Caodaism in Vietnam. After exploring the vast and splendid temple, we will attend the midday mass.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and subsequently, transfer to the center of Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, catch a flight to Danang.

Upon your arrival at Da Nang airport, our tour guide and driver will welcome you right at the pickup lobby and transfer you to the hotel.

On the way from the airport to the hotel, your tour guide will offer information about the renowned attractions of the city, cuisine, traffic, and culture.

Check-in and take a rest at your hotel.

Take a walking tour of the ancient town and explore the rural areas of Hoi An by cycling.

At 8:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to the center of Hoi An ancient town. The first stop is Cam Pho, one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. This communal house was constructed in the shape of the character “Quoc” – “the country” (in the configuration of the Chinese character). It still preserves its original ancient beauty with unique architecture intact, serves as a place of worship, and hosts annual village festivals.

Walking to visit Chua Cau (Japanese Covered Bridge) – the symbol of Hoi An. This bridge was built by Japanese merchants around the 17th century to link the Japanese quarter with the Chinese neighborhood. The original unique architectural style of the bridge has still been very well-preserved for the past 400 years.

Continue strolling through the town to reach Quan Thang ancient house,  one of the most well-preserved old houses in Hoi An dating more than 150 years. This house has the bold distinctive architectural style of the Hoa Ha region with lively and delicate wooden sculptures crafted by artisans of Kim Bong carpentry village. When visiting this place, you can partly visualize the lifestyle of the merchant class in the former Hoi An.

Visit the Fujian (Phuc Kien) Assembly Hall to learn about the history behind this communal gathering place. Then board the ferry to the Thu Bon River en route to Kim Bong village. During this boat journey, you will immerse yourselves in the pleasant fresh air and contemplate the peaceful landscapes on both sides of the river.

Kim Bong village has long been renowned for its wood carving. Cycling around the village to explore and learn about the daily life of local people. Take a visit to a carpenter’s workshop to admire the skill of craftsmen. If you wish, You can purchase some wooden souvenirs to give to your friends.

Continue your cycling journey on the trails to Tra Nhieu village. Throughout the route, enjoy a tranquil countryside scene featuring immense palm and rice fields, buffaloes, and the farmers working the fields. Then, travelers set off on a boat excursion along the Thu Bon River to reach Cam Thanh village.

Arriving in Cam Thanh village, take a brief rest at the fisherman’s house (Mr. Phong). Here, you can savor green tea and experience a foot massage with medicinal herbs planted in the family garden. Afterward, prepare vegetables and herbs from Tra Que village, and practice cooking some dishes such as crispy pancakes, spring rolls of Hoi An, tam huu (three friends), grilled fish in banana leaf…Then, enjoy the dishes you’ve made.

In the afternoon, board a small round bamboo sampan basket boat to paddle to the water palm trees forest. This offers a relaxing moment and feel more comfortable after hours of biking.

At the end of the day, transfer you return to your hotel.

During the journey to Hue: make stops to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, traverse Hai Van Pass, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, and explore Hue citadel.

At 8:00 AM, we’ll pick you up at your hotel and travel to Hue along the Da Nang coastal road. Upon reaching Da Nang, stop to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which showcases Vietnam’s most significant Cham culture collections. Take a walk on My Khe beach where you can look at the view of the colossal Goddess of Mercy statue in Linh Ung Pagoda. Continue driving to Hue via Hai Van Pass – the most stunning coastal pass road in Vietnam, pausing at Hai Van Quan to admire the breathtaking natural landscape.

Upon arrival in Hue, enjoy lunch featuring local cuisine and rest a bit. Then visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which was constructed in 1601 and stands as one of the oldest pagodas in Hue. Thien Mu is not only distinguished by its unique architecture with the majestic octagonal tower but also provides a captivating view of the Huong River. The pagoda is regarded as a significant cultural and religious symbol of Hue. Coming here, don’t forget to ascend the pagoda’s tower for panoramic views of the surroundings.

The next destination of the day is the Hue Citadel  (Thuan Hoa Citadel), which functioned as the imperial city of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (from 1802 to 1945). the Hue Citadel was constructed based on the rampart structure of the Vauban Citadel in France combined with oriental architectural principles, divided into three distinct sections: the Citadel (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), and the Forbidden City (Tu Cam Thanh). Explore prominent monuments in Hue such as Meridian Gate (South Gate), Supreme Harmony (Thai Hoa Palace), the Flag Tower, Dien Tho Palace, the Dynasty temple area, and the settlement area…

At the end of the day, transfer you to the hotel for check-in and enjoy your stay in the ancient capital.

Embark on a special day tour that includes a boat trip to explore the Perfume River and visit Tien Non, Thanh Tien, Sinh village, and  Khai Dinh’s tomb. Conclude your day tour by catching a flight to Hanoi capital to continue your journey.

At 8:00 AM, transfer to the Huong River to commence a Royal boat trip to the villages in the East of the city. This is a chance to explore the peaceful local life on both sides of the romantic river. When arriving in Tien Non village, participate in a biking tour along the countryside through 3 villages: Tien Non, Thanh Tien, and Sinh village. During the trip, you will be fully immersed in the daily rhythm of life in these villages, and meet and interact with residents. End the experience, take the boat return to the city.

During the afternoon, visit and explore the most beautiful tomb in the tomb system in Hue – Khai Dinh King’s tomb (Ung Lang), a royal structure built in 11 years (1920 – 1931), situated on Chau Chu Hill. The tomb of Khai Dinh King uniquely blends Eastern and Western architecture, setting it apart from other emperor’s tombs. Climbing a hundred steps will take you to Thien Dinh palace at the top, where you can contemplate beautiful decoration with delicate porcelain and glass fragments, and a grand painting on the ceiling. Visit a small museum displaying royal objects next door. While descending, enjoy a panoramic view of the tomb and its surrounding area.

At the end of the day, transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Hanoi.

Upon your arrival at  Noi Bai Airport, a tour guide and driver will be waiting to greet you at the pickup lobby. On the way from the airport to the city center (in Hanoi Old Quarter), your tour guide will offer information about the city’s primary attractions and share experiences regarding cuisine, traffic, and culture…

Note: Hotel check-in is available at 14:00.

Visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam), explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, take a stroll in the French Quarter, and discover the Old Town.

At 9:00 AM, your tour guide will pick you up for a visit to the Temple of Literature, a historical site that was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century to worship Confucius and teach royal children, and nobles. Walking around the campus of the Temple of Literature to visit historic monuments such as Khue Van Cac (Hanoi’s symbol), Quoc Tu Giam (the first university of Vietnam), 82 Doctor’s Stone steles, the House of Ceremonies, Thien Quang well…

The next stop is the Ethnology Museum – a unique cultural meeting point in Hanoi, which organizes exhibitions and showcases artifacts of various ethnic groups. Coming here, you can explore traditional houses, look at costumes, tools, jewelry, weapons, musical instruments…and learn more about the culture and history of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. It takes approximately two hours to thoroughly explore this interesting museum.

In the afternoon, begin to explore the French Quarter –  a “little Paris” in Hanoi featuring tree-lined boulevards, a spacious square, and government offices. Pay a visit to the exterior of Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Proceed walking through the botanical gardens to reach the Presidential Palace and visit Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts (where Uncle Ho used to live and work). Continue your journey towards the One-Pillar Pagoda, one of the pagodas with the most unique architecture in Asia, it’s a cultural symbol and spiritual destination in Hanoi. The duration of exploring this complex usually ranges from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the number of tourists.

Visit a thousand-year-old temple named Ba Da (Linh Quang Tu), quietly situated in a small alley. This is a sacred ancient pagoda associated with legends from the Le dynasty era and just a few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral. Your guide will lead you through distinctive Hanoi streets such as Lo Ren Street (famous for metal item production), and Lan Ong Street (known for selling traditional medicine)…Pause to explore the Dong Xuan market, Hanoi’s largest market. Then take a walk to the renowned area for nighttime activities and street food – Ta Hien Street. Here, you can feel an energetic ambiance, experience the vibrant pace of life in Hanoi, and enjoy local cuisine.

End the tour by enjoying the water puppet shows. This is a traditional performing art form in Vietnam, originated in the Red River Delta in the 11th century. The water puppet combines puppetry techniques, water effects, and music. Performances often depict historical events, legends, culture, and Vietnamese rural life.

Come back to your hotel. End of the day.

Cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, explore Cap La Island, take part in the cooking class, and spend the night on the boat.

At 8:00 AM, collect you at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter and depart to Bai Tu Long Bay. During the 3-hour drive from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long, passing through a series of villages and fields in the Red River Delta. On the way, there will be a stop for drinks and restrooms. Then resume driving and expect to arrive at the harbor around noon. You will get a warm welcome at the cruise reception.

12:45: Invite you to enjoy drinks as the warmest welcome from our staff. You will receive brief information about safety on board, then check-in your cabin. 

13:30: Indulge delicious Vietnamese dishes for lunch while the cruise slowly moves towards the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00: Leave the cruise to explore Cap La Island, a stunning area in Bai Tu Long Bay featuring pristine beaches and white stalactite caves. You can take part in swimming, sunbathing, relaxing, or kayaking to explore the beautiful landscape around the island.

17:30: Return to the boat and enjoy Sunset Time with tea and fresh fruits. This time is considered “Happy Hour” – “buy two, get one free” while the cruise is navigating to the overnight anchorage. Additionally, Our tour guide will also organize a cooking class at this time, offering you the chance to make Vietnamese cuisine by yourself.

19:00: Indulge a sumptuous set dinner on board.

20:30: you can make use of your free time to relax on the sundeck, listen to music, or try squid fishing.

If you want to participate in the karaoke activity, please notify our tour guide for assistance.

Stay overnight on board in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Explore the beauty of Thien Canh Son Cave, enjoy great cruising, and return to Ha Noi.

6:30 AM: Start your new day by practicing Tai Chi.

7:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast served in Western style complemented by Vietnamese traditional food. Tea and coffee are available.

8:00 AM: Explore Thien Canh Son Cave, a well-known destination in Bai Tu Long Bay with its unique natural charm and alluring landscapes. After climbing over 100 stone steps to enter the cave, you will be amazed at the magnificent and mysterious beauty of the cave featuring thousands of sparkling stalactites. Ascending the highest position of Thien Canh Son Cave, travelers can admire the panoramic view of Bai Tu Long Bay. Your guide will introduce the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and this cave, formed by Mother Nature.

9:30 AM: return to your boat via tender, and then complete the packing.

Please take all of your belongings out of your cabin. Heavy luggage can be left outside the cabin and our staff will transfer it directly to the pier.

10:30 AM: Take part in and show your creative skill in the fruit carving activity.

11:00 AM: Indulge a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

At 12:00, disembark at Hon Gai pier.

The driver will pick you up right at the harbor and then transfer you back to Hanoi. Finish the tour with a drop-off at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Transfer to Noi Bai Airport to board your flight to the next destination.

Our driver will be at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to transfer you to Noi Bai Airport (either domestic or international hall according to your request). Thank you for visiting our city, and wish you a safe and pleasant journey.

Note: for international flights, it is essential to be at the airport 3 hours before departure time. For domestic flights, be sure to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the departure time.