Package overview
This is a compressed version of the north–south combination that keeps the overnight Ha Long Bay cruise intact rather than swapping it for a day trip, which is how most six-day versions of this route save time. Instead, Hanoi is trimmed to two nights rather than three, with the city tour fitting into a single full day before heading to the bay.
A same-day connecting flight after the cruise carries the group to Ho Chi Minh City for two nights covering Cu Chi Tunnels and the city's colonial landmarks. It suits agents whose clients specifically want the overnight cruise experience but can't spare the extra Hanoi night that a seven- or eight-day version would need, and runs well most of the year outside each region's wettest months.
Trip highlights
- Full-day Hanoi city tour covering Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the Old Quarter
- Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay with Surprise Cave the following morning
- Same-day connecting flight from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City
- Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground network used during the independence struggle
- Half-day tour of colonial Ho Chi Minh City, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Hanoi's French colonial streets, lakeside pagodas and dense Old Quarter make an easy first stop before the trip moves quickly toward the bay and then south. Arrival afternoons are typically left free for a walk through the Old Quarter.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
The full-day tour covers Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, then Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda beside West Lake. After lunch the group visits the Museum of Ethnology, ending at Hoan Kiem Lake with a walk through the surrounding Old Quarter.
Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, board overnight cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
An 8am pickup starts the drive through the Red River Delta's rice fields to Ha Long Bay. Once aboard the traditional junk, the cruise passes Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog and Sail Islands, stops at a pearl-farming site and paddles into Luon Cave, with a swim near Ti Top Island before sunset and dinner served on board.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi airport, fly to Ho Chi Minh City (about 3½ hours / 190 km one way)
A Tai Chi session on the sundeck opens the morning before a visit to Surprise Cave, entered by around 100 steps. After brunch and a final pass by Ga Choi Island, Binh Phong Mountain and Tortoise Island, the group disembarks at Tuan Chau port for the transfer to Noi Bai Airport and a same-day connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where a representative meets the group on arrival.
Day 5: Cu Chi Tunnels excursion (about 1½ hours / 70 km one way)
The day is spent at the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Guides walk the group through accessible sections of the tunnel system and the surrounding exhibits.
Day 6: Half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour, departure
After checkout, a half-day walking tour covers the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel, the Opera House and City Hall, before transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for the onward or homeward 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.