Best of Vietnam from South to North in 12 Days

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be met by our guide and driver who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Your room will be available from 2pm onwards. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore at your leisure. Meals on your own. You will spend the night at the hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll depart for My Tho, a town located on the left bank of the Mekong River. You’ll board a sampan boat and cruise along the river, exploring the four beautiful islands called Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise.

During a stopover at Unicorn Island, you’ll walk along the country lane and visit the orchards while enjoying tropical fruits and listening to local folk song music performed by the villagers. You’ll also visit a fruit plantation.

Next, you’ll ride a hand-rowed sampan boat through Thoi Son canal and admire the beautiful countryside. You’ll also visit a family business, a honey-bee farm, and a coconut candy workshop, where you can enjoy some honey tea. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to go cycling around the Tan Thach village and meet the locals to experience their daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you prefer not to cycle, you can relax in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze.

Later, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner will be on your own, and you’ll spend the night at the hotel.

Today is a free day for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure. You can visit popular attractions such as the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, or take a stroll around Ben Thanh Market. The city is also known for its vibrant street food scene, so don’t miss the chance to try some local delicacies. Meals on your own expense. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, you have free time to explore the vibrant city on your own until you will be transferred (without a guide) to Ho Chi Minh airport for a flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. You can explore the city, visit the beach, or relax at the hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

At approximately 8am, you will be transported to Hoi An center to explore the city’s ancient streets and homes. Hoi An, which was once the national trading center in the 16th century, is known for its diversity of architectural styles, including Chinese, Japanese, French, and European. Some notable attractions include the hundred-year-old Japanese Bridge, the Phuc Kien Hall, and the Art Craft Manufacturing Workshop. You will have free time for lunch before being picked up by our tour guide at around 3pm for a street food tour. You will be taken on a bicycle ride through hidden alleys to try some of Hoi An’s special street foods, including “Banh canh,” green papaya salad with sun-dried squid, “xi ma phu,” Hoi An-style grilled pork skewers, and Hoi An bread. You will have the chance to rest and enjoy sugarcane juice before returning to your hotel on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

You have the day to explore Hoi An on your own. This charming town is known for its well-preserved old buildings and ancient streets. Take a stroll through the colorful markets, visit the Japanese Bridge, and explore the many cafes and restaurants. Meals will be at your own expense, and you’ll spend the night at your hotel. Enjoy your day!

Free on your own to discover Hoi An, and we highly recommend taking the opportunity to visit the beautiful beaches nearby. Hoi An has several beaches that offer a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, including Cua Dai Beach and An Bang Beach. Relax on the white sandy beaches, soak up the sun, and enjoy the crystal clear waters. You can also try out some beach activities such as swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

You have some free time to spend at your leisure before you are picked up and transferred (without a tour guide) to the airport for your domestic flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, our staff will warmly welcome you and take you to your hotel for check-in. You can enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure. Meals will be at your own expense. Have a pleasant stay at the hotel.

Between 7:45 and 8:15, you will be picked up from your hotel and we will leave for Ninh Binh city.

At 10:00, we will arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, which dates back to the 11th century and was the ancient capital of Vietnam. You will have the opportunity to visit temples built to honor the emperors Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, their sons, and Queen Duong Van Nga, who was first married to Dinh Tien Hoang and later to Le Dai Hanh.

At 11:00, we will head to Trang An Grottoes, an ecological tourist site where you will take a rowing boat through a series of stunning caves and rice fields. You will also have the chance to visit the “Kong – Skull Island” film studio.

Afterwards, we will return to the Wharf for lunch at a local restaurant.

At 14:00, we will go cycling to Bich Dong pagoda, a complex of atmospheric caves filled with ancient shrines. The pagoda, surrounded by many limestone mountains, is very ancient and well-known.

We will return to the shuttle bus at 15:45 and travel back to Hanoi.

You will be dropped off at your hotel at 18:00. Dinner is on your own and you will spend the night at the hotel.

After having breakfast at your hotel, you’ll embark on a shuttle bus that will take you to Halong Bay, a captivating place located in the northern region of Vietnam. During the drive, you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty of the Red River Delta, which is characterized by stunning paddy rice fields and mountains. Upon arrival at the bay, you’ll board a boat and embark on a cruise, allowing you to witness the natural wonder of the area, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

During the cruise, you’ll see numerous karst limestone formations emerging from the emerald water. The boat will make a stop en route so that you can explore a magnificent grotto that features incredible stalactites and stalagmites. You’ll have your meals on the boat and spend the night on board.

Note that it’s recommended that you bring an overnight bag to carry only the necessary luggage, as there won’t be enough space to store all the luggage of every passenger on board. You’ll return to the same hotel in Hanoi after spending a night on the boat, so you can rest assured that your remaining luggage will be kept safe.

After having breakfast, take some time to relax and sunbathe against the stunning backdrop of the bay. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board the cruise at around 11:30 am before returning to Hanoi. Check into your hotel, and dinner will be at your own leisure. Spend the night at the hotel.

You have free time to relax until you need to be transferred to the airport (without a tour guide) for your departure flight. You can use your room until noon. You will need to arrange your meals on your own. This marks the end of the tour.