Package overview
Several Vietnam itineraries reach Hue only as a long day trip from a Da Nang base; this one instead flies directly from Hanoi into Hue and keeps the group there overnight, with the Perfume River boat trip fitted into the same afternoon as arrival. It's a better fit for clients who want to feel they've actually visited the old imperial capital rather than driven through it, at the cost of one fewer night in Da Nang compared with a Da Nang-based alternative.
From Hue, the group transfers overland to Da Nang the next day via Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach, taking in Hoi An's ancient town along the way, before two nights in Da Nang built around the Ba Na Hills cable car and Golden Bridge. The routing works well from February to August, when central Vietnam is typically drier, and suits agents targeting culturally curious clients over pure beach-and-resort bookings.
Trip highlights
- Full-day Hanoi city tour and an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay
- Domestic flight from Hanoi directly into Hue, with an overnight stay in the city
- Perfume River boat trip calling at Thien Mu Pagoda and Hon Chen Temple
- Overland transfer from Hue to Da Nang via Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach
- Evening walking tour of Hoi An's ancient town en route to Da Nang
- Cable-car excursion to Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Hanoi's mix of French colonial streets, lakeside temples and a centuries-old Old Quarter makes for an easy first stop on a Vietnam itinerary. Arrival afternoons are typically spent close to the hotel, with an optional stroll through the Old Quarter's narrow trading streets and street-food stalls to adjust before the busier days ahead.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
The full day covers Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, followed by Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake. After lunch the group visits the Museum of Ethnology, ending at Hoan Kiem Lake with time to explore the surrounding Old Quarter on foot.
Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, board overnight cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
The drive to Ha Long Bay crosses the Red River Delta's rice fields and villages before boarding a traditional junk. The cruise route passes Dinh Huong, Ga Choi and Dog Island, stops at a pearl-farming site, paddles into Luon Cave, and allows a swim near Ti Top Island before sunset and dinner served on board.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi, Surprise Cave (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
A Tai Chi session on the sundeck opens the day before the cruise visits Surprise Cave, entered by around 100 steps and explored on a roughly hour-long walk. After brunch, the boat passes Ga Choi Island, Binh Phong Mountain and Tortoise Island before disembarking at Tuan Chau port for the road transfer back to Hanoi.
Day 5: Fly to Hue, boat trip on the Perfume River
A domestic flight connects Hanoi with Phu Bai International Airport near Hue, where a representative meets the group for the transfer into the city. The same afternoon includes a boat trip on the Perfume River, stopping at Thien Mu Pagoda and Hon Chen Temple, with the night spent in a Hue hotel rather than continuing on to Da Nang.
Day 6: Hue to Da Nang via Hoi An (about 2 hours / 120 km one way)
The overland transfer to Da Nang passes Minh Mang Tomb, Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains before an evening stop in Hoi An's ancient town. The walking tour there covers the Tan Ky old house, the assembly hall, the Japanese covered bridge, old wells, the local market and the riverside harbour.
Day 7: Ba Na Hills excursion
Ba Na Hills is reached by one of Southeast Asia's longest cable-car systems, known locally as central Vietnam's cooler answer to Da Lat or Sapa. The day covers the French wine cellar, the Golden Bridge held aloft by its giant stone hands, Linh Ung Pagoda, the Fantasy Park amusement area and King Peak at 1,487 metres, topped by Linh Tu Pagoda.
Day 8: Departure from Da Nang
The day is left free until transfer to Da Nang International Airport for the onward or homeward flight, closing a routing that gave Hue a full night rather than a same-day round trip.
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.