VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS

14D/13N - Hanoi - Mai Chau - Ha Long Bay - Hoi An - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho

This guided tour will introduce you to the cultural highlights and most famous destinations of Vietnam, as well as some lesser known places where you can experience the authentic life of local people.

From Hanoi in the North to Ho Chi Minh City in the South, Vietnam has an impressive amount of attractions, cultural spots and monuments that are well worth visiting.

This tour will bring you to all of the essential parts of Vietnam, as well as some of the lesser known but equally interesting places. Your trip starts in the capital city of Hanoi – a cultural heartland of Vietnamese civilization. From there it takes you on board a cruise ship through the iconic Halong Bay with thousands of islands. You will continue to Central Vietnam to walk through the charming trading port town of Hoi An and Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam. In the South visit the rural area in Mekong Delta. The tour ends in Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City), French administration constructed capital city and present day financial and economic center of the country.

In addition to visiting the famous highlights Hanoi, Hoi An and Saigon, this tour also includes an insightful visit to rural areas of Mai Chau in the North and boat and Can Tho in the Mekong Delta region, to offer you a glimpse to a daily life of ordinary Vietnamese people and their day to day life.  

PRICE: From
DURATION: 14 Days / 13 Nights
TOUR STYLE: Cultural & Heritage
DESTINATIONS: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho
TOUR CODE: MCVM1
DEPARTURES: Daily (Private Departures)
STARTS: In Hanoi
ENDS: In Ho Chi Minh City
Enquire Now

At a glance

Highlights

  • Old quarter of Hanoi
  • Cruise the iconic Halong Bay in style
  • Charming Hoi An
  • Former imperial capital Hue
  • Bustling business hub Saigon
  • Colorful Mekong Delta

Itinerary in Brief

DAY 1: Arrival at Hanoi.

DAY 2: Hanoi

DAY 3: Mai Chau

DAY 4: Hanoi

DAY 5: Ha Long Bay

DAY 6: Hoi An

DAY 7: Hoi An

DAY 8: Hue

DAY 9: Hue

DAY 10: Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 11: Can Tho.

DAY 12: Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 13: Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 14: Ho Chi Minh City

TOUR DETAILS

DAY 1 :  HANOI

Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International airport for your transfer to the hotel.

Hanoi, one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture, history and the engaging contradictions of a rapidly developing and deeply traditional society.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2 : HANOI

After breakfast at hotel, head out to Ba Dinh Square and start our day with The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda.

Following is a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam built in 11th century.

Next is a visit to the Museum of Ethnology, which gives an excellent overview of the country’s ethnic groups, their customs and ways of life. The highlight here is the large, beautiful outdoor area featuring genuine houses and compounds as built and used by the many different ethnic groups.

You then drive to Hanoi Center, explore the lively Old Quarter of Hanoi. This bustling heart of Hanoi has been a commercial centre since King Ly Thai To built his palace there in the 11th century. Skilled craftsmen started to migrate and artisan guilds were formed on the famous “36 Streets”. Previously, each street carried the name of the item produced and sold there, and many still have the same names. This is a place you must see to experience Hanoi, where you will find shopping and cultural/historical sites all wrapped into one.

Close your day by attending a wonderful performance of Water Puppet Show.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3 :  MAI CHAU

Depart at 8.00A.M from your hotel and heading toward Mai Chau, a beautiful valley with a patchwork quilt pattern of rice terraces and villages which are home to the White Thai people. Mai Chau is known for its stunning scenery of palms, green mountains, paddy fields and picturesque stilt houses.

On arrival, take some time to refresh, relax and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, stroll around the village and learn more about local lifestyle and as well their culture.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

DAY 4 : HANOI

Waken up in the early morning by “cocky Roosters”, this is the best time of day to go for a walk and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of countryside by yourself.

After lunch, you will transfer back to Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 5 : HA LONG BAY

Breakfast at hotel before heading out to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Ha Long you will board your luxury boat for an overnight cruise amongst the more than 3,000 limestone islands rising majestically out of the turquoise bay. You pass grand rock formations and quaint fishing towns, and sample a delicious lunch of freshly caught fish and seafood.

In the afternoon you can choose from several interesting activities: a cooking demonstration with chef on board, an optional traditional massage, or a refreshing swim.

End the day with a spectacular set-menu gastronomic dinner

Overnight on board.

DAY 6 :  HOI AN

Start the day with calming Tai Chi, often accompanied by an amazing sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of the bay’s landscape. The cruise passes beautiful spots such as Trong, Trinh Nu and the Me Cung Caves, and you will have a chance to explore Surprise Cave before having buffet brunch on board.

Back at the dock, where you will be met and transferred to Hai Phong airport for our short flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, we are greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Hoi An Town.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 7 :  HOI AN

Morning visit to My Son Holy Land of the Cham, one of the most important examples of Hindu influence in Southeast Asia. Although largely in a state of ruin today, My Son is often compared with other historical temple complexes in Southeast Asia, such as Angkor Wat of Cambodia or Ayutthaya of Thailand. You’ll be given a brief introduction to the history, culture and Hindu influence on the Cham Kingdom, and then will visit the remains of the carefully-crafted red brick temples with beautiful monuments and epitaphs.

Spend the afternoon to walk the ancient streets of Hoi An, lined with Chinese traders’ homes and wooden houses reincarnated as restaurants, cafés, and outlets for local artists, craftsmen and tailors. Explore the beautiful 16th century Japanese Bridge. Hoi An’s unique fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture is well displayed here, in what is arguably Vietnam’s most tourist-friendly town.

The rest of the day is free at leisure to enjoy the shopping in Hoi An – a paradise for silk & fashionable clothing and accessories.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 8 :  HUE                                                                    

Leaving Hoi An in the morning, you head out to Hue, the Vietnam’s last feudal capital.

En-route, stop at The Museum of Cham Sculpture features extensive and diverse displays of Hindu-influenced Cham sculpture dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries. Designed in 1915 by two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, your visit here will introduce you to the most common features of Cham towers and temples from throughout the region.

Keep driving to Tu Duc Tomb. Tu Duc’s tomb is a sprawling compound centred around a lake and several waterways, and including numerous separate memorials connected by pleasant walkways. Planned long before Tu Duc’s death in 1883, the major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-67, along with future temple buildings that served as a palatial retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 9 : HUE

Today is your insider day trip to Hue Imperial Citadel. The imperial city at Hue is the best-preserved remnant of a vast citadel and royal quarters that once existed on the site. Here you can see the ravages of time and war on what was the carefully designed capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. Built in the early 19th century by armies of conscripted labourers under Emperor Gia Long, the citadel was surrounded by a ten kilometer moat, and earthen walls formed the outer perimeter.

Then head out to Thien Mu Pagoda. This 7-storey octagonal tower is a symbol of Hue. Behind the pagoda are peaceful gardens and, somewhat incongruously, the old Austin car which transported the bonze Thich Quang Duc to Saigon in 1963 for his self-immolation.

The rest of the day is free at leisure: you might want to explore Dong Ba Market, or board on a cyclo or simple have a rest at the hotel

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 10 :  HO CHI MINH CITY

In the morning, take your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city of Vietnam. It is the bustling economic capital and cultural trendsetter of the country, yet holds the timeless traditions of an ancient culture.

In the afternoon, you will begin our city tour of this bustling city. The city tour brings you to visit many interesting sights: Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, a classic French colonial structure, is still a functioning post office today and features huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho, and many beautiful details. Notre Dam Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, Saigon’s Neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral is a major centre of Catholicism in modern Vietnam, and one of the city’s major landmarks.

The rest of the day is free at leisure, varied shopping centres or night entertainment activities await you

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 11 :  CAN THO

After breakfast at hotel, you transfer to Mekong Delta and Vinh Long province

Starts with a cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables in the colorful Cai Be floating market. An optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice and pop-corn being made. Your lunch of Mekong specialties will be served in Bonsai Garden. Then a rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside via small canals to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, passing by traditional wood and palm-leaf houses, and local farmers doing their daily work. After walking around the village, you can enjoy seasonal fruits when listening to Southern traditional music.

Then head out to Can Tho where you will spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 12 :  HO CHI MINH CITY

In the morning you visit the Cai Rang floating market. Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong canals.

You then meet our driver for the trip back to Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Enjoy some last minute shopping in the bustling streets of Saigon or just relax and unwind.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 13 :  HO CHI MINH CITY

Drive 70kms from Ho Chi Minh City, stopping en route to visit a rice paper making village, and you will reach Cu Chi Tunnels.

After an introductory video, viewing various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters, you will spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see how the Viet Cong survived in this underground network.

On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City you can (on request) visit a Wildlife at Risk (WAR) rescue station, a wildlife hospital aiming to help stop the endangered wildlife trade in Vietnam.

In the afternoon visit the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam. You can visit the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

Continue your visit to War Remnants Museum, contains countless artefacts and photographs graphically representing the war and its devastating impacts.

Final visit of the day is to Ben Thanh Market – an icon of the city, stands in the center of District 1. Packed to the rafters with everything from fruits to nuts, from tourist kitsch to true bargains, it is a definite must-see.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 14 : END OF ITINERARY

Morning free at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City and do some last minute shopping before taking your flight

End of service.

TAILORMADE
JOURNEYS

Work on your trip plans with local expert!

Let us know your travel plans. Our travel designer will get back to you in 24hrs.

You’ll receive a personalized itinerary

VIEW TOUR MAP, LODGING & OTHER OPTIONS

(Opens a new window for e-itinerary)

VIEW MORE

What's Included

  • Private tours and transfers with air-conditioned vehicles as specified in our itinerary
  • 2 bottles of water & 2 refreshing towels per passenger per day
  • Lodging with breakfast as specified in the itinerary
  • Luggage handling fees at airports
  • Entrance fees or zone fees
  • English speaking guide(other languages guide can be provide with additional charges)

What's Not Included

  • Visa to Vietnam (note that pre-arranged visa is required for tourists)
  • All entrance fees or zone fees
  • Domestic Airfares (always quoted and mentioned separately from tour package price)
  • International air fares
  • Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary
  • Peak season surcharges & Compulsory dinners during Xmas & New Year’s
  • Early check-in, late check-out. Normal check out time from hotels in Vietnam is 11am or 12 o’clock noon
  • Drinks during meals, hotel extras and expenses of personal nature
  • Camera & video fees. Some of the sites visited may ask small fees for photographing and video recording
  • Tips & gratuities

Image Gallery

Meet Jan our Vietnam Expert

Contact Jan to book this trip or to customise the trip in any way you like. We’re here to help.

Drop us a line

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

About This Tour

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT

Related Tours

MYANMAR FOR CONNOISSEURS

Experience the luxury onboard the top class Ayeyarwaddy River cruise, visiting major cultural highlights of temple dotted Bagan and royal Mandalay, adding with few days relaxing by the calm Inle...

More Tours (30)