Package overview
This twelve-day route adds Sa Pa's highlands to the Hanoi–Halong Bay–Saigon frame, sending clients north by road for the Fansipan cable car and mountain scenery before the Halong Bay cruise, then south to Nha Trang for two beach nights ahead of Ho Chi Minh City. It's the only itinerary in this range combining mountains, a bay cruise and a beach resort in one trip.
Expect more time on the road than on the ten- or eleven-day versions — roughly twelve hours of driving to and from Sa Pa alone — offset by two domestic flights, Hanoi–Cam Ranh and Cam Ranh–Saigon, for the southern leg. It suits clients who want landscape variety over a tighter, city-focused schedule and don't mind a long scenic drive.
Trip highlights
- Fansipan cable car and Sa Pa's mountain scenery
- Overnight Halong Bay cruise with Sung Sot Cave
- Vinpearl Land and Ponagar Temple in Nha Trang
- Cu Chi Tunnels excursion
- Mekong Delta boat trip
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: Road transfer to Sa Pa (6 hrs / 315 km)
A roughly six-hour road transfer follows the Noi Bai–Lao Cai highway into Vietnam's northwest mountains, past terraced rice fields, with a short rest stop en route. After checking in to your hotel, the evening is free to explore Sa Pa town on foot.
Day 3: Heaven Gate, Silver Waterfall and Fansipan by cable car
The morning drive climbs past rose and chayote farms to Heaven Gate and Tram Ton Pass, at 2,047m the highest road pass in Vietnam, with a stop at Silver Waterfall en route and time to walk and take in views of the Hoang Lien Son range. The route continues to the Fansipan cable car — among the world's longest and highest — which reaches the 3,143m summit, known as the 'Roof of Indochina', in about 25 minutes. Late afternoon transfer back to Hanoi.
Day 4: Road transfer back to Hanoi (6 hrs / 315 km)
A roughly six-hour road transfer follows the Lao Cai–Noi Bai highway back to Hanoi, passing the same terraced mountain scenery in daylight, with a short rest stop en route. After arrival, check in to your hotel.
Day 5: 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 6: 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 7: Halong Bay cruise, fly to Cam Ranh (3.5 hrs / 190 km)
An optional sunrise Tai Chi session 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. After brunch on board, the junk cruises back past Ga Choi and Tortoise islands to Tuan Chau Port, then it's a road transfer to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport for a domestic flight south to Cam Ranh.
Day 8: Cam Ranh to Nha Trang (1 hr / 50 km)
On arrival at Cam Ranh International Airport, a short road transfer of about an hour brings you into Nha Trang along the coast. Check in to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to enjoy the beach or rest after two travel-heavy days.
Day 9: Nha Trang city tour
Ponagar Champa Temple, a cluster of 8th-century Hindu towers overlooking the Cai River, opens the day, followed by Nha Trang Aquarium and Vinpearl Land, the cable-car-linked resort island with its own amusement park, water park and beaches — an easy, low-effort sightseeing day before the flight south.
Day 10: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
A domestic flight from Cam Ranh International Airport reaches Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport, where a representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel, marking the shift from beach time in Nha Trang to city sightseeing for the final stretch of the trip.
Day 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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.