Package overview
This ten-day routing carries clients from Hanoi through an overnight Halong Bay cruise, into central Vietnam for Danang and Hoi An, then south to Ho Chi Minh City — the north-to-south spine most first-time buyers ask for. Two domestic flights, Hanoi–Danang and Danang–Saigon, keep overland time manageable, with three nights each in Hanoi and Saigon so clients aren't rushed through the two biggest cities.
Pace is moderate: a free morning on arrival, one overnight on the water, and half-day excursions rather than back-to-back full days everywhere. It suits agents pitching a client's first look at Vietnam who want heritage, a cruise and some city life without adding a beach resort or a further flight-heavy detour.
Trip highlights
- Full-day Hanoi city tour, including Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature
- Overnight cruise on Halong Bay with Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave and Ti Top Island
- Ba Na Hills cable car ride and the Golden Bridge
- Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels and a Mekong Delta boat excursion
- Half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour through its colonial-era core
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (45 min / 25 km)
Vietnam's capital greets you on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, around 45 minutes from the Old Quarter. Hanoi mixes French colonial streets, centuries-old temples and a dense, lake-dotted core built for walking. After check-in, the rest of the day is free to rest from the flight or explore the Old Quarter's trading streets at your own pace.
Day 2: Full-day Hanoi city tour
A full day covers Hanoi's landmark sights: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university. After lunch, the Museum of Ethnology gives context on the country's ethnic diversity before the tour returns to the Old Quarter, taking in Hoan Kiem Lake and a walk through its narrow streets.
Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay, overnight cruise (3 hrs / 170 km)
Guides collect you between 8:00 and 8:30am for the road transfer to Halong Bay, passing rice paddies and villages of the Red River Delta en route. On arrival, you board a traditional-style junk and cruise past limestone formations including Dinh Huong, Ga Choi and Sail Island, with a stop to swim near Ti Top Island. Dinner is served on board as the sun sets over the bay, with squid fishing on offer before you retire to your cabin.
Day 4: Halong Bay cruise to Hanoi (3 hrs / 170 km)
An optional sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck opens the morning, followed by a visit to Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, one of the bay's largest grottoes, on a roughly 60-minute walk. Brunch is served as the junk cruises back past Ga Choi and Tortoise islands before docking at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, where the group transfers back to Hanoi by road.
Day 5: Fly to Danang, evening in Hoi An (1 hr / 30 km)
After the flight from Hanoi, check in and visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain before heading to Hoi An for the evening. A walking tour of the Ancient Town takes in the Tan Ky old house, the Assembly Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, wells and the riverside market before the return to Danang.
Day 6: Ba Na Hills excursion
A cable car system rated among the most modern in Southeast Asia lifts you into the cool hill air of Ba Na, often billed as Danang's answer to Sa Pa or Da Lat. Highlights include the French Village's wine cellar, the Golden Bridge held aloft by giant stone hands, Linh Ung Pagoda and Fantasy Park's amusement rides. A second cable car reaches King Peak at 1,487m for panoramic views over Danang and Quang Nam province before the transfer back to your hotel.
Day 7: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
A short domestic flight connects Danang to Ho Chi Minh City, landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where a representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore Saigon's downtown streets before the tour resumes tomorrow.
Day 8: Cu Chi Tunnels excursion (1.5 hrs / 70 km)
The Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during decades of conflict, are among the country's most-visited wartime sites. Guides walk you through sections of the tunnel system and explain the tactics and daily life of those who used it, giving context that's hard to get from a museum display alone.
Day 9: Mekong Delta excursion (2 hrs / 80 km)
A roughly two-hour drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh City reaches the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's rice bowl. A boat cruise along the Vam Xep canal reaches a small islet for a walk past orchards and villages, with stops at a bee farm and a family-run coconut candy workshop. A horse-cart ride and a rowboat trip along shaded canals round out the day before the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour, departure
A half-day city tour covers the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and City Hall — Ho Chi Minh City's colonial-era core — on foot with your vehicle following. Afterward, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.
What's included
- INCLUSIONS
- EXCLUSIONS
- ACCOMMODATION
- VISA
- PAYMENT TERMS
- CANCELLATION POLICY
- DO'S IN VIETNAM
- DON'TS IN VIETNAM
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Book this package
Visa requirements, payment terms and cancellation rules for this destination are set out on our [Vietnam travel information page](vietnam/travel-information).
Rates are quoted on request for your dates, party size and hotel category. Send us the itinerary reference and we will come back with a net B2B quotation.